Brandon Twp.- Dan DeGasperis will celebrate this Father’s Day the same way he has the past three years and in a way he deems very appropriate? by walking three miles in an effort to raise awareness of prostate cancer and men’s health.
DeGasperis, a 60-year-old married father of three and grandfather of three, will be joined by a 36-member team of family and friends at this year’s Run for the Ribbon 5K Run/Walk, set for June 21 at the Detroit Zoo.
‘It helps to support other guys who are going through the same things I went through,? said the township resident of the walk sponsored by the Michigan Institute of Urology. ‘I’ve heard that more men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer than women with breast cancer in 2015. What I’m not seeing at this point is a can of soup with a blue ribbon on it. I want to see equality. Breast cancer is very severe and important, but from the male side, we’re not getting all the awareness (of prostate cancer) that is important.?
DeGasperis emphasizes how crucial it is that men get annual physicals, including a blood test that checks prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, particularly after the age of 50.
It was just such a test in 2011 that led to a prostate cancer diagnosis for DeGasperis. His elevated PSA levels led to a biopsy and then a second biopsy, in which cancer was detected. He underwent surgery to remove his prostate and margins around the cancer in November 2011 at William Beaumont Hospital in Troy. While surgeons initially believed they had removed all of the cancer, his PSA follow-up test six weeks later revealed he had a level of about 2, when he should have had a level of zero, or negligible.
‘My cancer was more aggressive than they originally thought,? said DeGasperis. ‘Each cancer is a little different. Some guys will have elevated PSA and no issues. I had no symptoms whatsoever.?
That lack of symptoms is precisely why an annual PSA check after 50 is so important. Early detection is key.
DeGasperis was put on a quarterly shot regimen and also began taking daily medication to suppress testosterone production, since cancer cells feed on the male hormone. He was on this regimen for two years and it came with some unwelcome side effects, including weight gain, loss of body hair, and mood swings, but it worked as intended and kept the cancer at bay.
Last year, when doctors took him off the shots and medication, his PSA levels began to rise again. He elected to do radiation therapy and finished the 7-week regimen in February. Last month, a check of his PSA levels found it had not climbed.
‘The radiation killed some of the cells, but the primary thing it does is prevent cancer cells from replicating,? said DeGasperis. ‘I’m very encouraged at this time that my PSA did not rise, because I am off all medication and radiation… Some doctors will tell you there is no reason to do the PSA test, that it’s not always accurate, but they found mine. I would rather know instead of wait until it’s too late to treat. Denial won’t help. It’s very treatable.?
DeGasperis said he is feeling very good now, not only about his health, but life in general. He is looking forward to the walk, as well as continuing to educate men about their health and the importance of PSA screenings.
‘I have had people come to me and say, ‘My husband just got diagnosed, will you talk to him??? he said. ‘They go through the emotional gamut, they are scared to death. I explain what happened to me and what I went through. I’m not an expert, but listen to your doctor. I tell them I know how they feel. It makes me feel good to be there for people.?
DeGasperis can be contacted by email at dedegasperis@gmail.com. For more information on the Run for the Ribbon 5K, visit http://
www.miumenshealthfoundation.org/run-for-the-ribbon-race.html