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Routine Check Reveals Aggressive Cancer; Survival Message
24 Nov
Summary
- A high PSA score of 21.7 indicated aggressive prostate cancer.
- A bone scan falsely suggested cancer spread, leading to a cancelled surgery.
- The author urges men to get tested, emphasizing PSA awareness.
What began as a routine five-year health check for Michael Harrison turned into a harrowing battle with aggressive prostate cancer. His PSA score, initially 21.7, triggered immediate concern, leading to diagnoses of aggressive cancer. A subsequent bone scan falsely indicated metastasis, leading to the cancellation of his prostatectomy and a prognosis of only a few years to live.
However, further testing, including a PET scan and spinal MRI, revealed the bone scan to be an anomaly, clearing him of metastasis. This reprieve allowed him to share his ordeal with a wider circle of friends and family, prompting many to get tested. The experience served as a profound catharsis.
Harrison ultimately opted for radiotherapy and brachytherapy over surgery, managing his condition with ongoing hormone treatment. He now actively advocates for prostate cancer awareness, encouraging all men to undergo regular PSA testing despite the test's limitations, emphasizing its crucial role in early detection.
