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March 31, 2009
Why I Told My Story
Today’s Wall Street Journal has an extensive article on prostate cancer. I decided to speak to the reporter at length about my experience with the disease for the following reasons:
First, the recent release of two studies criticizing the PSA testing protocol, suggesting that there is over-treatment of the condition, will lead many men to do what they do best; ignore the warning signs until it is too late. It may indeed be scientifically accurate to posit that half of prostate cancers are indolent and do not require intervention. But that leaves the other half, that left untended, can metastasize into bone or other more serious forms of cancer.
Second, there is now technology that can help men take better decisions about treatment. The MRI guided biopsy is a far superior means of establishing the extent and virulence of the disease. This diagnostic methodology is also the key to future treatment modalities such as ablation or freezing of only the affected area of the prostate.
Third, it is important for men to realize that the treatment options will not affect their quality of life in the long run. The dreaded side effects, from impotence to incontinence, are far over-stated. With the advent of nerve-sparing surgery and availability of Viagra, your sex life will be fine (for a middle-aged person, in any case). Between Kegel exercises and knowledge of liquid consumption tolerance, incontinence is only a short-term issue.
Fourth, men must take control of their health management. Doctors are not infallible. In fact, the first diagnosis in my case seemed to be wrong and I decided to pursue other advice. I found that each doctor advocated for his/her specialty. The Internet is full of conflicting information. The best counsel can come from friends and peers who have been through the process.
Fifth, top executives owe their colleagues and customers a full explanation of the extent of disease and steps being taken to manage the problem. I alerted my senior Edelman team via individual calls the week before my procedure. I sent an all staff note once I was out of surgery to inform them of my condition, and the action I took to remedy the malady. I also blogged publically (dated September 17, 2008 entitled, "The Scimitar Falls; I’m Walking On") because I did not want speculation nor any confusion around the firm.
Sixth, I have much to be grateful for, especially my zero PSA at the six-month mark following surgery. I had excellent treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital. Dr. Peter Scardino and his team are the ultimate professionals, committed to educating patients, so they make better decisions. Dr. Peter Pinto, at the National Cancer Institute, recognized the risk in a patient with a fast-rising PSA and found my cancer through MRI biopsy. Dr. Faina Shtern of the AdMeTech Foundation (disclosure: a client) is committed to educating doctors and men like me about the critical role of advanced diagnostic imaging such as MRI in the early detection and minimally invasive treatment of prostate cancer, in the same way the mammogram has helped women with breast cancer. I admire her tireless pursuit of further development of the “man-o-gram” and related increase of US Government and private funding for public education and research.
I hope that today’s article helps men recognize that the best way forward is active investigation of their disease, not benign neglect that can lead to a more systemic problem. I would appreciate your own stories to share with the community.
Posted by Edelman at March 31, 2009 5:38 AM |
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Comments
Richard is so very correct in his assessment of the conflicting and confusing information on the internet. Each doctor advocates for his/her industry (they are indeed in business to make money) making it extremely difficult to pick an optimum solution for me. Last Tuesday, 3/24/09, I received word that my biopsy had comeback positive for cancer with a Gleason score of 6. A rising PSA (3.0 to 5.7 in 13 months) alerted us to the potential for cancer. From what I know so far, that makes me eligible for any one of the treatment options offered by each of the different disciplines. I'm a CPA (in the last days of tax season) and I'm trained in sorting and analyzing data without emotional attachment, but uncovering how each medical specialty group advocates for their approach in an honest and helpful manner is comforting, but does nothing to assist in weighing and contrasting the different available options. Additionally, there is often some critical tidbit of information that gets left out (and I do believe the omission is unintentional) that has a direct bearing on my specific set of circumstances. Equally confounding are the statistics on cure rates for each approach, it makes me recall a statistics professor I had in college who would say, "Statistics are like a woman of ill repute, the closer you get, the more you can make her do." . . . This industry has an awful lot of statistics. . . Be cautious!
Posted by: Parks T. at March 31, 2009 9:22 AM
As A Cancer Survivor I thank you !
Posted by: marshal sandler at March 31, 2009 10:41 AM
I'm glad to hear you are ok. I suffered a small stroke just 6 months ago (100% fine) and found many of the things you said to be true, regardless of the disease.
Posted by: Adam Dictrow at March 31, 2009 11:09 AM
A great column. You may want to enter something on the ongoing NY Times discussion --- you will find an ongoing "battle". My experience was something like yours, 12 years ago (at age 57), and with a home town Urologist with a good reputation. My wife and I discussed the various options, and she strongly insisted on doing what I could to save my life and we would deal with the rest afterwards. I'm certainly glad I didn't read the recent articles and forgo PSA testing. There is a similar attack on screening for breast cancer. I can only assume the critics of screening have concluded that they are in the 'other half" and the heck with us, and I hope they are right that they never have to deal with cancer but would strongly advise them to have the screens, study the data, meet the Dr's and take their best shot.
Posted by: Robert L Smith at March 31, 2009 2:46 PM
YOU the man, Richard (with or without Viagara). My hat's off to you for sharing your story, and for posting this rationale for "going public." My past two annual checkups have included a PSA test, though I've been wondering for even longer what action I'd take if the numbers were concerning. That day hasn't arrived yet, but my appreciation to you (and Melinda) for enlightening us benign-neglect-inclined men to MRI-guided biopsies and biomarkers under study. Yes, YOU the man, even without the gland.
Wishing you good health for decades to come,
Jed
Posted by: Jed Weiner at March 31, 2009 5:56 PM
That's great to share your experiences with the community and wish you a great recovery, an ex-EDELMAN staff
Posted by: Leslie at March 31, 2009 11:50 PM
I find your posting moving on two distinct levels. First, the issue of addressing prostate cancer and elucidating approaches to the condition are important for men to know - particularly coming from an executive. Second, there appears to be a PR issue addressed as well: whether executives should be transparent about their health. Considering other instances where executives underwent invasive surgery or discovered unfortunate medical circumstances, those companies' executives who chose not to be transparent about their health found their companies receiving at least somewhat elevated organizational scrutiny. Your transparency on the issue is a testament to Edelman's dedication to transparency and serves as a prime example of why health at an executive level might not always be something to keep quiet.
While I am fortunate enough not to have any experience with prostate cancer, I hope those who find themselves battling it realize the support in their communities and that they find comfort in that support. I also hope that men will follow your recommendations to actively investigate the disease and take action quickly to minimize damage.
Thank you for the posting, I've enjoyed reading it.
Posted by: Gentry Lassiter at April 1, 2009 12:48 AM
Hi Rick - very impressed and honored that you choose to tell your story. It makes a difference to have a role model, a leader - especially in communications! - to show other men and families how to cope and make difficult decisions. I am especially appreciate of the leap you took -- I am BRCA1 positive, and had a double mastectomy, oophorectomies etc back in 2000 -- without a diagnosis of cancer -- just to protect myself from developing any disease. Medicine is full of ambiguities and hard choices - but moving forward, making the best of available tools is the right decision. My hat's off to you and your family. Best of luck and good health!
Posted by: Diane Atwood at April 1, 2009 8:02 AM
Richard, I always enjoy stopping by to read your latest perspective of the PR industry, life, the world at large. Thanks for continuing to share your story; hopefully it will encourage more men to be pro-active about their health. Continued best wishes to you.
Posted by: Michele Nix at April 2, 2009 6:48 PM
Richard-
On a personal note, I wanted to thank you for sharing your story. A few years ago, my father was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I worked closely with him to navigate the sea of treatment options and options for avoiding a barbaric surgery. He ended up going the proton radiation therapy route which has proven effective since the treatment – with little to no lingering side effects.
Warmly,
JP
JP Schuerman
Posted by: JP Schuerman at April 6, 2009 9:10 AM