Advice from a Prostate Cancer Survivor

Shelly:
A health alert. Now many men put off getting regular prostate cancer screenings, and for many that can be the difference between life and death. This morning, Rick Bartlett, a prostate cancer survivor, joining us now to discuss how early detection and a new procedure ensured that he was able to spend more years with his family. Good morning, Rick. Thanks for joining us.

Rick Bartlett:
Good morning, Shelly.

Shelly:
We appreciate you sharing your story. Um, start off with how, how did you know to get tested?

Rick Bartlett:
Well, I had a relationship with my urologist for about 15 years before I went in to get a biopsy. I’d been having regular PSA tests for 20 years or more in the military. So that kind of led me into the whole process.

Shelly:
And what kind of biopsy did the doctor perform to catch the cancerous cells?

Rick Bartlett:
Well, my urologist, Dr. Allaway here in Cumberland had developed just a year prior a new device that does a trans perineal biopsy. Instead of going through the rectum, it goes to the perineum. And it is a much, much safer process and virtually painless.

Shelly:
And do you think that that was key to catching this for you?

Rick Bartlett:
Absolutely. For one thing, it removed a lot of the apprehension about getting a biopsy, and if not for that biopsy, I could have gone years before I would’ve had any symptoms. So it was really the definitive answer to whether or not I had cancer.

Shelly:
I hear you also just celebrated a pretty big milestone.

Rick Bartlett:
Well, uh, . Yeah, Right. As far as years cancer free, I’m about five years cancer free now. Yes.

Shelly:
That’s great. And what did you do to celebrate remission?

Rick Bartlett:
Well, I’m a cyclist, so for me, the recovery process I guess the celebration was being able to get back on my bike and go out there and continue doing what I love to do in the outdoors.

Shelly:
And did I hear you did a pretty big journey?

Rick Bartlett:
I did. Last fall, I led a Bicyling tour down the west coast on the Pacific Coast Highway of about 1900 miles.

Shelly:
That’s awesome. So today you’re sharing your story. What advice do you have for other men who may avoid regular screenings? I mean, you’re here, you’re able to continue being with your family, cycling, doing what you love.

Rick Bartlett:
Well, I think the point is men need to adopt a regular recurring check of their prostate specific antigen, their PSA level, very simple blood test. Establish a relationship with the urologist when you get into your forties and fifties. In my case, I had some other indications of an enlarged prostate that was not necessarily indicative of cancer, but eventually that PSA test is what led me to get the biopsy once it bumped over that magic 4.0 on the PSA scale.

Shelly:
All right. So get those regular screenings, that’s a great reminder.

Rick Bartlett:
Absolutely.

Shelly:
Rick Barlett, thank you for joining us this morning. We appreciate your time and sharing your story.

Rick Bartlett:
Thank you, Shelly.