Rodney: Prostate Cancer Screening

Recently, I was told that my prostate appeared to be enlarged, and that I should undergo screening for prostate cancer considering my family history. There is cancer on both sides of my family and with my Cerebral Palsy (CP), I must be extra careful with my health. I couldn’t take any chances that it might turn into something more serious, so I decided to undergo screening. They did a test that measures the amount of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood and the results were on the high side, so Preston Sprenkle, MD, Associate Professor of Urology, suggested further screening. 

As with any procedure, big or small, I require an overnight stay at the hospital for monitoring because of my personal medical history. It is worth it knowing that I am staying on top of my health and that I won’t be caught off guard should anything develop. After further screening, I underwent a procedure to reduce the size of my prostate, which was another overnight stay in the hospital. I have had repeat UTIs, and I am scheduled to have another PSA blood test this month. It is an ongoing situation, and I am taking it day by day.

For most people, it would be devastating to hear that you may have cancer, but I have faced so many challenges in my life and have learned that it is better to know and hope for the best. I trust that my doctors at Yale will take care of me and do what they can with the knowledge they have.  I was born at Yale New Haven Hospital and trust the doctors there with my life. In addition to CP, I have many other health challenges including brittle bones and chronic pancreatitis. 

Having a family history of cancer, I want to follow up on anything and everything I can, even if it requires me to be hospitalized. Dealing with CP since birth I think it is just easier for me to accept health scares like this and have decided to face them head on. Life for me has been good, but it has never been easy. I don’t want to waste any time being upset and think it’s important for everyone to be mindful of their own health.