Now that he is doing well, we both want to get involved in this cause to demystify it, break down taboos, and perhaps find the right words to help other men get diagnosed quickly.

Here is our story:

In February 2012, my husband came back from his annual medical check-up and told me that he had asked the doctor about preventive screening for prostate cancer. Approaching his 50th birthday in a few months, he preferred to be cautious. After 26 years as a paramedic, he knows too well the reality of cancer. This monster doesn’t have a selection grid. It attacks randomly. Since prevention is the wisest route, my husband chose this path.

During the palpation test, which is a rectal examination, my husband learned that his prostate seemed a bit larger than normal. However, the doctor insisted that this is not a very reliable indicator. The blood test to measure PSA (prostate-specific antigen) would be the best indicator.

The blood tests were done, and the waiting for results began. At this stage, we were not too worried. We gathered information online. We learned that normal PSA levels vary by age group:

• Under 50 years = 0.0 to 2.5
• 50 – 59 years = 0.0 to 3.5
• 60 – 69 years = 0.0 to 4.5
• 70 years and older = 0.0 to 6.5

According to PROCURE data, only 1 in 4 men with an abnormal PSA level will actually have prostate cancer. The results arrived. PSA 4: normal 2.5. According to the doctor, it was not concerning, but he would monitor it every 6 months.

Six months later, the PSA had risen to 6.3. The urologist requested a biopsy. 10 “core samples” were taken from my husband’s prostate. The waiting for results started again. Since this waiting period coincided with the holiday season, we would not receive news until 2 months later.