Prostate Cancer not just an older man's disease
Brett Troia lost his father to colon cancer, his sister to breast cancer and his brother just had his 15th radiation treatment for brain cancer.
So Troia wasn't complety surprised when doctors diagnosed him with prostate cancer 3-years ago.
If you have a family history, in particular first degree relative, father or brother that puts you at double the risk.
Ttroia eats right and is in great physical shape.
In fact he's a triathlete.
But because of his family history, he decided to have his first prostate cancer screening in 2006, at age 39, instead of waiting until the recommended 45.
At the age of 41 Troia's PSA, which is a blood test for prostate cancer, had jumped made a slight jump from the year before, from 0 to 1.8 which is a small jump."
Not wanting to take chances, Troia's doctor sent him to Panama City urologist Dr. Michael Jenkins, who also happens to be one of Troia's cycling buddies.
He didn't like even the slight sump in Troia's PSA numbers so he ordered a biopsy.
It came back positive.
A second opinion also confirmed the cancer.
Troia says it was a tough call to get.
"I received a phone call from my buddy Mike and he's like dude this is the hardest phone call I've ever had to make... he says you've got cancer."
Troia underwent robitic surgery and is now cancer-free.
But he realizes one in every six men is at-risk.
He also realizes early screening probably saved his life.
"If we hadn't have found it at 41 we probably wouldn't have known it until 50. You have to be your own advocate, says Troia"
Early stage prostate cancer is one of the easiest to treat.
But patients usually don't show any symptoms in the beginning stages, which makes screenings so crucial.
8 months after his surgery Troia competed in the Ironman Florida competition.
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