TULSA, Okla. — A Tulsa prostate cancer survivor is sharing his journey with the hope that he can help save the lives of others.
Brian Hunt is a husband, father of three, and in his words, a cancer warrior.
He just finished the last of his 43 radiation treatments in April. He had no physical warning signs about having cancer. But a blood test showed his Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) level was at five. Levels of four to 10 are considered suspicious.
According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. It’s an aggressive cancer that, if not caught early, can quickly spread.
“At first you’re mad, you’re angry, you’re upset, but then you realize, hey I’ve got to fight this,” said Hunt.
Prostate cancer is something a lot of men don’t talk about. Donna Bowers works in the Advanced Prostate Cancer Clinic at Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, and said it’s aggressive and like other types of cancers.
“Breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, even melanoma, it’s been found that some of them are related and have some of the same gene mutations,” said Bowers. “So we’re learning so much in the last five years and the prostate cancer treatment has exploded.”
Bowers is an advocate for men battling the disease, and is helping to catch it before it’s too late. She’s overseen the organization of Tulsa’s first-ever Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, and said it’s crucial for men to know the risks of the disease.
“It’s very insidious,” said Bowers. “It’s a slow growing cancer, so it can grow for many years before there’s any signs.”
She said men need to get their PSA levels tested starting at 50 years old, and sooner if you have a family history of cancer.
“Prevention is absolutely key,” said Hunt. “It’s simple bloodwork. Men should be doing this at least once a year.”
The Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk, sponsored by Urologic Specialists of Oklahoma, is scheduled for Saturday June 18, the day before Father’s Day.
It will be held at River West Festival Park. Registration is free, but you can raise $50 to get a t-shirt.