Is your check engine light on?

A government task force recently proclaimed that the Prostate Scientific Antigen (PSA) test need not be administered to detect cancer. The report indicates that the results of surgery can result in incontinence, sexual dysfunction, heart problems and even death. Men for years have had this test and for many it has resulted in a new lease on life when early-stage cancer is detected and cured. Odds are that one man in six will develop prostate cancer -- not very good odds. While it is a slow advancing cancer, men still die of prostate cancer.

For years men have had a PSA test usually at the time of an annual physical. If the readings are within an acceptable range, no action is taken. However, if the readings begin to rise on each subsequent exam, further testing and perhaps a biopsy may be warranted. The results of the PSA test remind me of the "check engine" light on our cars. When the light appears on our dashboard we have no idea what it means, so we take the car to an expert who performs a series of diagnostic tests to pinpoint the problem. Something similar occurs with the PSA test. Until we submit to further testing we have no idea what the increased readings on our PSA signify.

Several years ago, my PSA test indicated a slight increase in the numbers. As a result, my doctor suggested that I have some further tests. Those tests revealed that two biopsies came back positive for cancer. As such, after researching the various options for over two months, I opted for robotic surgery at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Physicians there are the pioneers in this type of surgery as men come from all over the world for the operation -- one came as far away as Antarctica. The results of my surgery indicated that my Gleason score was a six, meaning that I had experienced the beginning stages of cancer. The surgery was painless -- I went home in one day -- and in less than a month I resumed my daily five-mile runs. Since my surgery, which has now been four years, all systems are "go," which means I have returned to my normal lifestyle. If you are wondering how my marital responsibilities are progressing, feel free to ask my spouse of 49 years. I think she will tell you, as they say in the space program, that all systems are "A-okay," meaning that launch and landing are very successful.

June 2 was the fourth anniversary of my surgery and my PSA test continues to be 0.0. On that date, I will be having lunch with my surgeon, Dr. James Peabody, and my nurse, Andrea Simone. Yes, we celebrate this anniversary every year. As such, I would suggest that just as us guys investigate our "check engine" light on our cars, we should continue to "check our prostate numbers." We all want smooth running cars and who doesn't want a smooth running body. Get the test. Your body engine is similar to the car engine -- no one wants to experience a "recall."