Patient Story: Graham

When Graham, 64, first learned he had elevated PSA levels, he wasn’t concerned. PSAs are “prostate-specific antigens” made by the prostate gland that sometimes indicate cancer. Graham says the physician where he was being seen wasn’t worried about his PSA numbers, so he wasn’t, either. Prostate cancer is slow growing, he told Graham, and it was OK to watch and wait.

Graham’s wife June, however, was concerned. She’s a nurse at Overlake and wanted Graham to see a specialist in prostate cancer at the Overlake Cancer Center. Graham made an appointment and, after another PSA test, a biopsy showed he had cancer. The Overlake provider said Graham still had the option of watching and waiting.

After sleeping on it, Graham decided he wanted a prostatectomy to remove the prostate gland along with the cancer. The robotic procedure proved to be straightforward, Graham says. He didn’t need pain medications and his scars are “almost nonexistent.” 

Graham is very happy today with his decision to have surgery. “I’ve lost people close to me to cancer,” he says. It was important to him not to take a chance that his prostate cancer would develop into something more serious.

Graham now has regular follow-up visits with Overlake providers, including blood tests that provide immediate results. Every checkup has shown Graham to be cancer free, and he’s resumed activities that he enjoys.

“I’m back to riding my bike frequently and even going on long hikes," says Graham. "I would tell anyone considering this surgery that it is a good option.”