One man's experience is warning to all

Rob Egenolf is one lucky dude.

Two years ago, when he was 56, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He is alive today and happy to tell the tale. No small feat. Prostate cancer is the second most lethal form of cancer among U.S. men. His journey with the Big C is both informative and inspiring.

When Rob had his annual exam two years ago, he was feeling fit except for a bout of prostatitis (enlarged prostate). All physicals for men over 50 should include a PSA test (which tests for substances indicative of this cancer) and so naturally his did. Medical standard flags danger when the PSA number exceeds four points. Rob's was 4.7 and even though this was an increase from three at his last exam, his physician suggested that they just keep an eye on it. A sonogram and the usual digital rectal exam were both negative for cancer.

Rob, being the kind of "on top of it" guy he is, insisted on a biopsy. The resulting pathology report eventually showed that Rob's entire prostate was riddled with cancer.

"It was later estimated that my cancer was 10 to 12 years old," says Rob. "Given that probable age, it is unlikely that I would have found it in time and survived if I hadn't had the prostatitis that had elevated my PSA temporarily, and if I had not insisted on getting the biopsy."

Rob's type of prostate cancer doesn't create a high PSA. In fact, 25 to 30 percent of prostate cancers are like Rob's. What's his advice to his fellow man?

"Do not wait for a high reading. If a PSA exceeds two, you should consult a urologist. If there is a sharp increase (over 25 percent) in the test result from a previous year, consult a urologist. Do not be bashful about getting a biopsy; it is still the best test available today."

So what do you do when you get a test result that forever changes your life?

If you are Rob Egenolf, you get cracking.

He found out what treatments were available -- conventional surgery, laproscopic surgery, radiation, and, the newest treatment, cryosurgery (freezing off part of the cancerous prostate) -- and who was the best at each. He and his wife then took a cross-country journey to meet the best. "All of the physicians we consulted had a bias towards their chosen treatment," says Rob. "That is to be expected I suppose, but the extent of the bias was significant." That is why Rob strongly advises anyone in this situation to take charge, become an expert on your own cancer. "No one can decide what is best for you, and frankly no one will make as valid a decision as you will."

In the end, Rob elected laproscopic surgery. Was he scared? You bet, but he was comforted by a "positive assessment" of his life lived thus far and by the considerable support he received from family and friends.

But Rob was proactive in garnering this support, something he advises all men to do when faced with this situation. "Men typically don't form good support networks. We are competitive by nature. We need to get over that."

His prostate was removed as was all of his cancer. Yes, there are some "quality of life" issues to deal with as a result of the surgery. But today Rob is a robust, smiling man, happy to have a life where he has to worry about such things.

Dr. Michael O.L. Seabaugh is a Cape Girardeau native who is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 20 years experience helping individuals and couples with their emotional and relationship issues. He has a private practice in Santa Barbara and Santa Monica, Calif. Contact him at mseabaugh@semissourian.com.