"I have no compunction in talking about my prostate cancer experience,” explains Glenn. In fact, most people are quite taken aback at how frank I am about it, but after we’ve gotten into the conversation, I think they begin to see the value of talking openly. Once the bad news settles in, they seem to be more accepting. Nothing can change the diagnosis; it is what it is, so you ignore it at your peril.”
Glenn was just under 50 years old when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1995. He’d been having annual medical exams for many years, including, at his insistence, a PSA screening test. Everything was normal until around age 45, when his PSA started to climb a little higher each year and his doctor finally recommended some other tests. The results of a biopsy showed that he had cancer in 50% of his prostate. Not prepared to wait around and see what would happen, Glenn fairly quickly opted for a radical prostatectomy.
Decision time
Glenn’s decision to have surgery was prompted partly by the fact that his father had died of prostate cancer at age 65. Glenn had been living in Asia for about 10 years, and by the time he came back to Canada for good, his father’s cancer had metastasized and there wasn’t much to be done; he only had four or five months to live. As Glenn puts it, “age 65 is looking younger and younger every day now.”
The other factor that helped clinch Glenn’s decision was the support of his wife Sylvia. His diagnosis came before the days of laparoscopic or robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy. As he and Sylvia discussed the options, they were both fully aware of the possibility of lasting side effects, including the consequences on their sex life. But Glenn’s wife urged him to do whatever he had to do, preferring to have him “alive rather than dead.”
Glenn was quite matter of fact when it came to his illness and treatment. His positive attitude may have been partly because he was used to being around the hospital from his work with the MUHC and RVH Foundations, and he knew many of the urologists there. He had also studied physical education in university, which he thinks helped him see the illness for what it was and just try to deal with it the best he could.
A bout of nerves and nausea the night before his operation (the first in his life) almost caused it to be cancelled. Nevertheless, it went ahead and Glenn made a full recovery and was back to all his regular activities within six months. Prostate cancer hasn’t changed Glenn’s lifestyle much at all. He’s always taken care of his health, takes preventive medication for cholesterol and high blood pressure, and is certainly not overweight; he’s sure keeping in good shape both before and after the surgery has helped a lot, both physically and mentally.
Not the end of story
After Glenn’s prostate was removed, his PSA hovered around zero for the next four years but then started to rise a bit. By year nine it was back up around 4 ng/mL — this was a bit too much “noise” for Glenn to live with. Glenn discussed further options with his doctors, and the decision was made to undergo radiation treatment in June 2005, preceded by one month of hormonal therapy. The next September brought no change in his PSA. When it had risen to 7 a year later, Glenn figured that the radiation treatment hadn’t been successful. He had an MRI to find out if the cancer had spread, or if it was still somehow located in his pelvis or around the prostate cavity, but his doctors couldn’t pinpoint anything.
The next step was more serious hormone treatment. During 2007, Glenn undertook hormonal therapy involving four LHRH injections and a daily antiandrogen tablet. His PSA went down to zero, where it remains today. Glenn’s conclusion is that the cancer cells are asleep for a while; it would be a good thing if they didn’t wake up, but if they do, he’ll meet with his doctors to decide if he should go on hormonal therapy again, or if there’s another option such as chemotherapy. He gets his PSA checked every three months, but other than that, he’s as active as ever and just gets on with his life. “This has been my philosophy since 1995 — I can’t see the value of any other way.”
“Maybe there’s something wrong with me, but I don’t think a lot about prostate cancer.” The only regrettable thing is the lasting side effects — partial incontinence, partial impotence — that remind him of what he’s gone through. He acknowledges that his sex life isn’t perfect, and that the loss of libido due to the hormonal treatment isn’t too much fun, but with the understanding of Sylvia he doesn’t focus on it. He also knows that resources are available if needed, and he can talk to his
doctor almost any time he wants.
An informal network
Glenn’s never participated in a support group, but in the early years (and even now), other men who heard of Glenn through his golf or sports clubs or business connections would call him up for advice. He would recommend books or videos for them to read or watch, and then talk to them very openly about his situation. “I’m happy to share whatever will be of value to other people, from a layman’s perspective.” It struck Glenn how scared many men are when faced with their diagnosis. Some put on a brave face, but you can tell they’re concerned underneath, especially about the side effects of treatment. And then there are those who are too afraid to talk about it, who you never even hear from. Comparing it to breast cancer, Glenn thinks that, in general, women are more open about their illness.
In Glenn’s view, prostate cancer is huge, but the biggest danger is not being aware of it or letting fear get in the way of dealing with it before it’s too late. So his advice to other men (including his four brothers, who are now all over 50) is not to ignore the topic, have a PSA test followed up by other tests if necessary, find out about it and if it comes down to it, do the best they can to face it head-on. There’s not too much time to waste — life is good, and the squash and golf courts still beckon!
