Cancer Diary: The Quiet Cancer -- Prostate Cancer
Cancer Diary: The Quiet Cancer
There’s been a surge of interest lately in prostate cancer, due in part to the news about President Joe Biden’s health. I don’t know much about the specifics of his case, but the topic itself is an important one—and very often a quietly handled one, sometimes too quietly.
Years ago, our parish priest confided in me—somewhat accidentally—that he had prostate cancer. What struck me most wasn’t the diagnosis, but the emotion attached to it: he was embarrassed. He didn’t want the congregation to know. I suppose he feared it was too private, too bodily, or too undignified to talk about. But I urged him to tell people. Not only did they have a right to know, they would want to know. They’d want to support him.
He ended up doing just that. And I think, in the end, he was glad he did. People came out of the woodwork—not only to offer encouragement, but to share their own stories of prostate cancer and survival. Two parishioners even volunteered to drive him all the way to the big city—90 miles away—for his surgery. That kind of generosity is its own medicine.
He pulled through and loved to joke that he’d lost a bit of weight when they removed the tumor. That was his style: a touch of humor after a hard season. But it wasn’t just the surgery that helped him feel like himself again. It was the relief of not carrying the weight of secrecy.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men, particularly as they age. It’s usually slow-growing and, when caught early, highly treatable. But early detection is key. That means regular PSA testing and, yes, talking about it.
There are several stages of prostate cancer, ranging from very localized tumors (Stage I and II), where the cancer is confined to the prostate gland, to more advanced stages (Stage III and IV), where it may have spread to nearby tissues or even distant organs. Treatment can vary—active surveillance, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy—depending on the stage, age, and overall health of the patient.
But one of the most dangerous things about prostate cancer isn’t medical. It’s cultural. It’s the silence.
Men often don’t talk about prostate cancer. Some are embarrassed. Some think it’s just “part of aging.” Some avoid screening out of fear or discomfort. But that silence can be deadly. The earlier it’s found, the better the outcomes.
So maybe this week, if you know a man in your life over 50—or younger if there’s a family history—you can bring it up. Send a gentle nudge. Mention Joe Biden if you have to. Mention our priest, who got through it with the help of a few good people and a sense of humor. And maybe remind them that there’s nothing shameful about staying alive.
For more information on screening, treatment options, and support, visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation at www.pcf.org or call their helpline at 1-800-757-2873.
For an earlier post on prostate cancer, click HERE.
For other Cancer Diary posts, click HERE.
Blog editor's note: As a memorial to Carl, and simply because it is truly needed, MSI Press is now hosting a web page, Carl's Cancer Compendium, as a one-stop starting point for all things cancer, to make it easier for those with cancer to find answers to questions that can otherwise take hours to track down on the Internet and/or from professionals. The CCC is expanded and updated weekly. As part of this effort, each week, on Monday, this blog will carry an informative, cancer-related story -- and be open to guest posts: Cancer Diary.
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