Simple blood test leads to early cancer diagnosis 

Movember message: get checked to stop disease in its tracks

For more than a decade, I’ve participated in Movember. It was a bit of a joke at first, just a fun way to raise some money for a good cause. 

For those unfamiliar with the ‘Mo’ movement, it’s pretty straight forward. Men grow a moustache from Nov. 1-30, all the while building awareness of and collecting funds for men’s health — physical and mental. 

Until recently, I restricted my fundraising circle to family members only. With so many causes out there, I wasn’t eager to pester colleagues, friends and neighbours with this one. 

This past year, though, my involvement took a more serious turn when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Suddenly, an amusing campaign — which simply involved NOT shaving above my upper lip for 30 days — took on a whole new meaning. 

My story

The first hint that something might not be quite right came following my biennial physical at age 61. Over the previous few years, I had been consistently losing weight. Nothing drastic but a steady five or six pounds per year. 

At the time of the physical exam, I had lost a total of 30 pounds — from my ‘normal’ 185 to 155. 

This time, a routine blood test revealed an elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level. Not an alarming number but it was high enough for my family doctor to refer me to the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre at the General campus — just to be sure.

At first, I admit I thought this was a little much. After all, there was no cancer in my immediate family and I wasn’t feeling ill. Still, with the support of my wife Sheila, I followed through, meeting a surgeon who specializes in prostate cancer and treatment. 

It was possible, he said, the higher PSA was the result of an enlarged prostate and not necessarily a sign of cancer. The only way to know, for certain, was to undertake a series of tests, starting with a cystoscopy, a procedure to examine the bladder for abnormalities. 

After meeting with the surgeon again, it was agreed that a prostate biopsy would also be needed to determine if cancer was indeed at play. The procedure, while a bit uncomfortable, was quick and mostly painless, taking about a half-hour from start to finish. 

Within the next couple of weeks, I had my answer. Cancer was detected in two of the samples taken. These were ‘intermediate’ risk, meaning that while the disease was present, my life was not in imminent danger. 

Options

My surgeon spelled out a number of options — surgery to remove the prostate, radiation to kill off the cancer cells, or hold off and kick either procedure sometime down the road.

It did not take long to make a decision.  

On Feb. 21 of this year, I underwent a Robotic Radical Prostatectomy. As with any surgical procedure, there is some risk involved. But for us, this was the most effective way to remove the cancer before it had a chance to spread. 

The surgery took place at the Ottawa General and lasted about five hours. I remained in hospital overnight for observation. 

I was discharged by around noon the following day but only after showing the nurses I could get out of bed and walk, albeit gingerly, around the hospital hallways.

Recovery was slow but steady. While there’s some pain around the incisions, it’s important to get up and move around, making sure your lungs and muscles get some activity. 

I was almost “back to normal” within a few months. Two follow-up blood tests have shown no sign of cancer which is a huge relief. And while my urologist will continue to monitor me for the foreseeable future, all signs are positive.

Of course, none of this could have happened without incredible support. Before leaving the hospital, Sheila had to learn how to empty the drainage bag attached to the catheter, which remained in place for about a week following surgery. She was my amazing nurse, chef, driver (to and from follow-up appointments) and cheerleader. All the while keeping her business going and looking after our dog Charlie. 

Get checked

All this to say to our male readers during this Movember, get checked out. If you sense something might not be quite right, don’t delay. Talk to your doctor. A simple blood test could well lead to early detection and stop cancer in its tracks. 

The Ottawa Hospital has all kinds of resources for anyone impacted by cancer. Visit their website at www.ottawahospital.on.ca/en/cancereducation. 

Specific to men’s cancers, I’ve also found the Movember site incredibly helpful. It can be found at ca.movember.com.

This Movember, I’m growing yet another moustache, only this time with a little more meaning behind it. If you’re so inclined to make a donation, feel free to visit my page at https://movember.com/m/rylandcoyne