I thought I was doing everything right when it came to my health. I never missed my yearly physicals, had honest conversations with my family doctor, and believed the routine tests, including PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) checks, would catch anything that needed attention. My PSA was just over 2, and that seemed perfectly fine.
In November 2023, I attended the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) conference in Edmonton. While walking through the trade show, I noticed the MAN VAN® was onsite. I was with another councilor and joked about getting our blood work done. He declined, but I thought, “What the heck – I’ll do it.” I wasn’t worried; after all, I’d just had my usual tests.
A couple of days later, I received a call from a nurse from the MAN VAN® team. They told me my PSA level was 14.6, much higher than normal, and advised me to see my family doctor right away. That phone call stopped me in my tracks. When you hear the word “cancer,” your world shifts. Sleep became almost impossible, and I spent hours online trying to understand prostate cancer and what might lie ahead.
I arranged follow-up testing with my doctor, but it was a long six weeks between bloodwork appointments. I had an ultrasound, and, wanting answers sooner, I paid for an MRI myself. The scan showed abnormalities on my prostate. I was referred to a urologist, Dr. Lucas Dean, who performed a biopsy. Not the most comfortable procedure, but necessary. The results came back with a Gleason score of 7. I had prostate cancer.
From that November day until my surgery on June 17, 2024, my mind never really rested. Between worry and research, I found myself spending a lot of time on prostate cancer forums, learning from others who had gone through similar experiences. One of the biggest supports during that time was an old friend, Peter, who had already walked this road. He patiently answered my many questions and helped me stay focused instead of being overwhelmed. His honesty and reassurance made an enormous difference.
Surgery day arrived in mid-June. I was fortunate to have a successful operation, followed by a steady recovery. The Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) program was a huge help in regaining strength and confidence, helping me adjust to a “new normal.” I’ve now had three follow-up PSA tests, all with undetectable results.
Today, I’m thankful to say I’m cancer-free. I often think about how easily things could have gone differently. If I hadn’t walked past that MAN VAN® booth in Edmonton, I might not have discovered the cancer until it was far more advanced. That quick, simple blood test likely saved my life.
I can’t say enough about the importance of men’s health awareness and regular screening. It’s easy to assume everything is fine – especially when you feel healthy – but early detection is what makes treatment possible and outcomes so much better.
To the team behind the MAN VAN®, and to everyone who supports the Prostate Cancer Centre’s mission to reach men across Alberta: thank you. You make a real, measurable difference every single day. Because of you, I get to keep living my life, and I’ll always encourage other men to take that same small but life-saving step.