A Motorcyclist’s Prostate Cancer Advocacy
- Anthony Kalaj joined the Distinguished Gentleman’ Ride nine years ago after his father was diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. After later receiving his own diagnosis, Kalaj has remained committed to raising awareness of the disease.
- Kalaj is sharing his story with SurvivorNet as part of the 12-film series “Men Beating The Odds,” hosted by NFL Legend Emmitt Smith. In a story about his efforts to raise awareness in “Keep Rolling,” he encourages men not to delay screenings and get checked.
- Prostate cancer screening guidelines call men with a strong family history of prostate cancer, like Kalaj, to get screened earlier than others, around age 40, because they have an increased risk of the disease.
- SurvivorNet experts support standard screening methods such as a digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This test measures the level of PSA in the blood, and higher levels can indicate cancer.
Anthony was motivated to join the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride after his father Pashko was diagnosed with prostate cancer. “I thought, I’m going to ride for my dad. I’m going to try this out,” Kalaj, of Orange County, California, tells SurvivorNet.
“In the past, we’ve always ridden for my dad. And then this year it became relevant because it was me. I was the one who was diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer,” Kalaj, who recounts loving motorcycles since he was a child.
Kalaj, whose dad even took a photo of him sitting on a bike when he was about 18 months old, credits The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride for raising millions just last year.
Despite choosing to ride for his dad and encouraging others to get checked for prostate cancer, Kalaj admits he was “too busy” with his business, family, hobbies, and overall life to prioritize his own health.
He ultimately was diagnosed with stage four metastatic prostate cancer just like his dad, and is now more determined then every to get other men not to delay screenings.
Kalaj was diagnosed after feeling unwell and experiencing an abnormally frequent need to urinate, including episodes where he had to go as often as every five minutes.
“Cancer doesn’t give you a choice,” he warns. “It was all over my pelvis. It was in my neck. It was in my clavicle. It was in every lymph node in my body. It was in my spine.”
Recounting how he had “massive” pain and difficulty getting on a motorcycle while battling the disease, he remained determined to regain his strength despite feeling weakened by treatment.
But with the upcoming Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride, Kalaj was determined to ride again – this time for himself.
“The radiation definitely took out those tumors in my spine and helped me out. And I started working around the house and just picking up things and using my little hand exercises. And in three weeks, I couldn’t believe that transformation in my hand. And I thought, God, my body can rebuild,” says Kalaj.
“I could grab that clutch. I could ride the bike. I could feel myself taking command and I can ride again.”
Kalaj, who now strives to “live” reminds anyone hearing his story, “What’s important is to live, you have to have life. I’ve always said, ‘I don’t want to leave my mark. I want to leave a dent so that life knows I was there.”
Expert Prostate Cancer Resources
Admitting how he’s learning to accept his diagnosis, he says he strives to focus on quality of life and peace of mind rather than dwelling on the uncertainty of how long he’ll live.
“Do I want to die? Of course not. I want to live. I need to live. I need to teach my grandson how to ride a motorcycle, how to fish, how to shoot, teach him all the man boy stuff that I learned from my dad and that my son is doing,” says Kalaj.
Kalaj, noting how his cancer fight is a “mental” challenge,” prides himself for “kicking” cancer’s butt.
“I believe the mental thing is that you have to stay strong. You have to believe, and you have to keep going. You have to keep doing things,” he says, offering hope for others on a similar cancer journey.
“I still go to the shooting range. I still go grocery shopping. I’m still cooking for my wife. Yesterday, I took my motorcycle out. I polished the bike.”
Understanding Prostate Cancer Risk
If a close family member — like your father or brother— has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your chances of developing the disease nearly double.
Men with a family history often face a higher risk at a younger age than those without one. Black men also have a higher risk of developing the disease.
“Prostate cancer affects men of all walks of life, but it affects them differently,” Dr. Edwin Posadas, Medical Director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview. “It’s important to note that the incidence of prostate cancer in African-American men is 60% higher, and they are two to three times more likely to die from the disease.”
Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among men. It begins in the prostate — a small, walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and rectum — that helps produce the fluid in semen. The good news is that routine screenings often detect prostate cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
When you go in for screening, your doctor may perform a few key tests.
- One common test is the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, which measures the level of PSA protein in your bloodstream. While higher-than-normal PSA levels can be a sign of prostate cancer, they can also result from other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate, infection, or inflammation.
- Your doctor might also perform a digital rectal exam (DRE), where they check the prostate for any unusual lumps or changes in texture.
If anything abnormal is found, further tests — such as imaging scans or a biopsy — may be recommended to get a clearer diagnosis.
According to the American Cancer Society, men at average risk should consider starting prostate cancer screenings at age 50. Those at higher risk — such as men with a strong family history — may need to begin screening earlier, around age 40. In some cases, men with an immediate relative diagnosed at a young age might consider annual screenings starting in their 30s.
Generally, most healthcare professionals agree that routine screening is not necessary for men over 70.
SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Urinating more often
- Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
- Blood in your urine
- Trouble getting an erection
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Even if you are not due for screening, if you develop any of these symptoms, it is worth it to bring the concerns to a doctor.
Content independently created by SurvivorNet with support from Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp.
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