Winning the Battle Against Prostate Cancer

Stan's Story

For the past four years, Stan Rosenfeld has been spending his Tuesday evenings talking with men about prostate cancer. After being diagnosed with the disease in 1997, Stan started attending support group meetings at Marin General Hospital. The meetings were designed to help educate other men about prostate cancer.

"The day my doctor told me that I had prostate cancer, I was devastated," recalls Stan, a Marin County resident who was 59 years old at the time of his cancer diagnosis. "It was very scary. I didn't know what to do. It was days before I got my mind together and decided that I was going to beat this thing."

Stan's doctor wanted him to have surgery the following week. Even though Stan suspected his doctor was right, he wanted to do some investigative research of his own. During his research efforts, Stan started hormone treatment. This treatment removes most of the body's capability to produce testosterone.

"The hormone treatment gave me more time to think about my options without having to worry about the cancer growing," says Stan.

According to Radiation Oncologist Patrick Swift, M.D., at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, "prostate cancer is often slow growing and usually occurs late in life, and often has no symptoms until the disease is well advanced."

Stan found himself searching different Web sites for the latest information on prostate cancer. He read a lot of books and attended several conferences and support groups. Stan decided that he wanted some definitive treatment that would lead to a cure. His research efforts resulted in his final decision to have surgery.

"Prostate cancer is a very individual disease," says Stan. "Everybody has different takes on the side effects of the various treatment options. This is a very personal decision."

It's been four years since the surgery and Stan has no detectable signs of cancer. Stan is living a healthy life and has changed his eating habits. He has also encouraged his three sons to live a healthier lifestyle.

"I'm confident that within the next 20 years there will be a cure for prostate cancer," says Stan. Stan's wife, Patti Breitman, has also been a key player in his battle against cancer. "Stan's support groups have added a new dimension to his life," Patti says.

Today, Stan enjoys educating other men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and is now the co-facilitator of his Marin General Prostate Cancer Support Group.

"We meet 52 weeks a year, rain, shine or holidays," explains Stan. "Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer want to have a place to go and somebody to talk to. So we're there all the time. I find out new things from men who've done their own research and who have had discussions with their doctors and know about the latest research."

Dr. Swift says prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer found in men in the U.S., and that the disease is usually detected during routine exams or by screening. Screening for prostate cancer uses the digital rectal exam and the prostate-specific antigen test.

"There is no clear answer as to what causes prostate cancer," adds Dr. Swift. "The key to successful treatment is early detection. Talk to your doctor to try and come up with a screening schedule that is most appropriate for your age, health status, and family history of prostate cancer. It can prolong your life."