Myself and my wife, Jen, are working very hard to find a new balance in our lives ever since I was diagnosed with Stage 4, Metastatic Prostate Cancer in 2026 at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto.
Here is some information that would have helped us if we knew this before I received this diagnosis.
All men, their partners and their families should be aware of this when it comes to prostate cancer.
*** (1) Prostate cancer is very common in men and is often symptom-free until it has metastasized from the prostate, at which point it is harder to treat and is classified as Stage 4 cancer.
FYI – I saw a Urologist when I started experiencing severe pain in my Pelvic and Digestive areas.
After I went for a PSA blood test, my Urologist called me (God Bless this very unique doctor) to tell me that my PSA blood levels were very high and extremely concerning.
Next I had to go for a prostate biopsy and then I was put through a series of Medical Imaging Scans at Princess Margaret.
This included a CT Scan, an MRI, a Bone Scan and a PET Scan.
The biopsy and these scans confirmed the serious nature of the prostate cancer that had spread beyond my prostate.
My Urologist told me that the pain I was experiencing was a sign that the cancer was spreading beyond my prostate gland.
*** (2) PSA blood levels should be regularly checked and minor fluctuations of the PSA should be closely followed.
*** (3) Inherited genetic mutations account for only a small minority of all prostate cancer diagnoses.
*** (4) 95 % of the genetic screening tests done for men with prostate cancer come back normal at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.
This indicates that these men do not have a genetic mutation that accounts for their prostate cancer.
*** (5) The vast majority of prostate cancer cases develop due to non-inherited factors in life such as stress in one’s life, diet and the amount of exercise one gets.
It is very important for men to better understand this disease and the risk factors.
References: Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto
By: Anthony Aquan-Assee
“Always Believe” 🙏
