Patients’ Perspective on Managing Prostate Cancer

At the third session of the 20^th Annual African American Prostate Cancer Disparity Summit, four prostate cancer survivors participated in a panel discussion about the patient perspective behind managing this disease. The four panelists included:

• Norman Ceasar from Port Lucie, Florida
• DeWayne Charleston from Savannah, Texas
• Barney Morris from Tampa, Florida
• Jerry Womack from Charlotte, North Carolina

Mr. Womack explained how he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2004 and is now a 20-year survivor. He began having his yearly PSA tests completed in his 40s and had his PSA level rise from 2.5 ng/ml to 2.8 ng/ml at 49 years of age. The biopsy he underwent found cancer, and, after seeing three surgeons and two oncologists, Mr. Womack scheduled surgery – a radical prostatectomy – for November 2004.

“I had a doctor who understood the importance of early detection at a stage when I had all the options for treatment,” said Mr. Womack. In addition, he spoke on his family’s support, explaining “prostate cancer is a family disease.”

Mr. Barney Morris was also diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004 at 40 years of age when his PSA screening showed a level of 3.2 ng/ml. After seeing a urologist, he decided to undergo a radical prostatectomy as well. One year later, his PSA level doubled, and Mr. Morris underwent radiation therapy. That treatment saved his life, as his PSA level has been mostly undetectable ever since.

“Stay active, exercise, [and] eat right,” Mr. Morris advised during the panel discussion. “Stay abreast of new developments in the field. Have a clinician who understands the benefits of clinical trials. Clinical trials can really save lives.”

Mr. Norman Ceasar was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer at 52 years of age when his PSA levels rose from 3.2 ng/ml to 3.6 ng/ml and a biopsy found a tumor. He had his prostate removed in November 2006 and has been cancer-free since.

Mr. DeWayne Charleston was not as lucky and was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer in September 2009 after receiving a PSA level of 86 ng/ml. Yet, due to a radical prostatectomy, Lupron, and various other medical interventions, Mr. Charleston has been cancer-free since 2018.

“If science can keep me in the game, then I’m encouraged,” said Mr. Charleston.