Stories from the Wolfpack: Prostate Cancer Warriors

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. We are honored to share stories of some of our prostate cancer warriors from the MUTC Wolfpack.  

JOHN CARSON

My name is John Carson, and I’m from Central/Upstate NY. I’d like to share my prostate cancer journey.

In February 2023, I went for a routine check-up, my first in two years due to COVID. I had no symptoms of anything wrong. That same day, after some routine bloodwork, I received a call: my PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels had risen from 2.5 in 2021 to 22 in 2023. Typically, anything over 4 is concerning, but a PSA test only indicates potential prostate issues, not necessarily cancer.

After further testing, I was diagnosed with stage 3B prostate cancer, which my urologist referred to as “unfavorable intermediate risk.” I was presented with two treatment options: radical prostatectomy or radiation. I opted for the prostatectomy, thinking that removing the cancer entirely was the best way forward. I assumed that surgery, recovery, and then being cancer-free would be a straightforward process. I knew the potential side effects but thought I was prepared.

Four days post-surgery, during a follow-up to remove the surgical drain, I received devastating news from the nurse practitioner: “Your erections are done. They took your manhood.” This was shocking, out of line, and not what I had anticipated based on earlier discussions with my urologist. It wasn’t entirely true, but hearing it caused me to spiral into depression.

I wasn’t ashamed of my emotional state and spoke openly with my wife. I also attempted to connect with a counselor, though we didn’t align. Eventually, I reached out to "Zero," who connected me with a mentor. That mentor led me to the Man Up to Cancer (MUTC) community and the Prostate Cancer Tribe. Almost immediately, I realized that I wasn’t alone and that I would be okay.

This community, filled with people who understood exactly what I was going through, became my lifeline. While I had support from family and friends, unless someone has heard those three life-altering words—"You have cancer"—there’s no way to fully comprehend the experience.

Over the past year, my journey continued. Despite the surgery, further tests showed a chemical recurrence. I recently completed 39 radiation treatments and am currently managing the effects of six months of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), which reduces testosterone. The side effects of ADT are rough—it makes a man’s body feel like it's going through menopause.

Though my fight isn’t over, I’m incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by a cancer family who knows how I feel and supports me. We fight together, and thanks to MUTC and the Prostate Cancer Tribe, I’ve learned that “NO ONE fights alone.”

Don Helgeson

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and it’s important to talk about why this matters. Studies show that men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at the same rate as people with breast cancer—about one in eight during their lifetime. And it’s no longer just an “old man’s disease.” Men in their 30s are now being diagnosed, thanks to early detection methods like the PSA blood test and Digital Rectal Exam (DRE).

I’m Don Helgeson, and I’ve been personally impacted by this. I live in Nanaimo, British Columbia, and I’m the Chapter and Meetup Coordinator for Man Up to Cancer. I first joined "The Howling Place" (THP) in 2020 as a Lynch syndrome carrier and survivor of two cancers—melanoma and colorectal. Then, in September 2020, at just 51 years old, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a high PSA reading. It was an aggressive form of cancer, and I relied on the support and connections I made within THP to help guide my treatment decisions.

In January 2021, I opted for a radical prostatectomy and, for two years, I remained NED (No Evidence of Disease). Unfortunately, my PSA levels started rising again over the past year, and it became clear that my cancer had returned. After consulting with a radiation oncologist in Victoria, I underwent hormone therapy and aggressive radiation this past summer. I’m now under close surveillance and will meet with my medical team later this month to see if the treatments were successful.

Why is all of this important? If you or someone you love has a prostate, they’re at risk for prostate cancer. As I’ve mentioned, the diagnosis rates are similar to those for breast cancer, and early detection is critical. It could save your life.

If you have questions or want to chat, feel free to reach out to me via Facebook Messenger or by email at don@manuptocancer.org.