After discovering an enlarged prostate, high PSA and early-stage prostate cancer, Larry’s experience with Cyberknife offered a comforting approach to treatment.
My name is Larry. I’m 75 years old and have always considered myself to be in fairly good health; I was a basketball player all through college and have since maintained my athleticism. The only exception to my good health was the fact that every night I was constantly having to get up several times throughout the night to use the bathroom. While this was a huge bother to me, all other functions seemed okay. Nevertheless, I informed my primary care doctor about these issues at my annual physical in the spring of 2015.
After my primary care physician examined me, he told me that I had an enlarged prostate and also found that my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) had gone up from a 5 to an 11. As a result, I was referred to Dr. Stan Galansky of Urology Associates.
Dr. Galansky initially examined me and brought me back for subsequent biopsies. He found early stage prostate cancer in one of the samples. He carefully and fully explained to me and my wife of 51 years what I had, the implications of what I had, treatment options and timing. We agreed to have a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) performed in June 2015. But that wasn’t where my story ended.
Six months later I received five sessions of radiation treatment using the groundbreaking CyberKnife radiosurgery technology under the direction of the doctors at Anova Cancer Care. My doctor patiently explained to my wife and me how the radiation treatments would be accomplished. These treatments went as planned, with my radiation treatments concluding in December 2015.
The whole process was amazing to me. The level of professionalism and technical competency was extraordinary and so was the quality and kindness of the staff. Everyone at both Urology Associates and Anova Cancer Care were considerate, very pleasant and professional. Further, the appointments were scheduled conveniently and took just as long as predicted, so a (near) normal life was possible. And frankly, there was no discomfort.
It’s still a little early to tell if the cancer is gone, that will take time. But I had no side effects during the treatment and I still have none. Things seem to be functioning normally. I did follow all of the instructions that were given to me fully and carefully — I felt that I should do my part as well as the folks at Anova Cancer Care were.
I cannot recommend the folks at Urology Associates and Anova Cancer Care enough. They are competent and did what they said they would do. They took very good care of me. I’m grateful to them all and my only wish is that men who have problems similar to mine might find them and meet them. They’ll be glad they did.
Learn more: Prostate Cancer Treatment PSA Testing