Jun. 6--ADA -- When Harold Ware learned he had prostate cancer, he immediately alerted his identical triplet brothers Gerald and Darrel of his condition. When results came back from their tests, it became apparent all three of the Wares had prostate cancer.
Ware said he was diagnosed earlier in the year. "I was going in for an enlarged prostate, so they went in and did a biopsy for a 'cool laser' procedure," he said. "And in that biopsy they found out that out of the six biopsies, that I had one that was cancerous."
The Ware triplets have spent their lives sharing medical conditions. "We were in the incubator for one day. When it came time to get glasses, we all had glasses at the same time," said Ware. "We had our first tooth come in at the same time, we had at about the same time the same cavity. We all had tonsillitis surgery at the same time, we were real young. About six or seven years ago we all had hernia operations within two months of each other.
"And so when I found out that I had this cancer, I talked to my doctor and he gave me my report and I faxed it to them. My brother Gerald had an examination and found a nodule. He had a biopsy, had 14 biopsies done and found one that was cancerous. My brother Doc (Darrel), because of what was happening with everybody else, had a biopsy done. He had 12 biopsies done and found out he had three cancers. So in a matter of a month we all three had a radical prostatectomy, a total removal of the prostate."
One of the big things Ware said the experience has taught him is not to take good health for granted. "I think it's a wake-up call, that people not just go with their PSA counts. They may have a family history. My dad had prostate cancer, we had a cousin who had prostate cancer," he said. "They say a good indication is your PSA, your blood count. But mine was only 2.3, my brother Gerald's was like 1.4, and Doc's was 1.6. So really it was nowhere near the 'danger zone' where it shows up to be cancerous."
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, "PSA is a protein produced by the prostate and released in very small amounts into the bloodstream. When there's a problem with the prostate, such as when prostate cancer develops and grows, more and more PSA is released, until it reaches a level where it can be easily detected in the blood. During a PSA test, a small amount of blood is drawn from the arm, and the level of PSA is measured. PSA levels under 4 ng/mL are usually considered 'normal,' results over 10 ng/mL are usually considered 'high,' and results between 4 and 10 ng/mL are usually considered 'intermediate.'"
The PCF said digital rectal exams can also be performed to reveal possibly cancerous irregularities.
"During a DRE, the physician inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and examines the prostate for any irregularities in size, shape, and texture. Often, the DRE can be used by urologists to help distinguish between prostate cancer and non-cancerous conditions such as BPH."
Since the surgeries, the Wares have been on the slow road to recovery. "Oh, everyone's doing pretty well," said Ware. "I'm doing the best of all three so far, because of complications the other two have had." Ware is currently undergoing radiation treatment. He's the first and thus far only one of the three to undergo the process.
"I told them, 'well, that's okay, I'll just send you the bill from the hospital because you both owe me for saving your lives,'" he joked.
The American Cancer Society recommends that both PSA and DRE checks be made annually to men over 50.
Men at higher risk, such as African-American men or men with cases of cancer within their families, should start getting tested at age 45.
-----
To see more of the Ada Evening News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.adaeveningnews.com.
Copyright (c) 2008, Ada Evening News, Okla.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.