Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is not often included among the major awareness months and days for September, despite the disease being the second-leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. I am hoping to change that narrative.
Importance of caregivers
My father died this year from complications related to prostate cancer. I also lost a colleague to prostate cancer in 2025; he was diagnosed around the same time that I was. I know 11 men who have been diagnosed with the disease in the past two years. These men are in various stages with the disease, but something they all shared with me is how grateful they are for their caretakers.
I can certainly relate as my wife has been my rock throughout my journey. In May, I experienced complications from a transperineal biopsy on my prostate that landed me in the hospital for three days. Despite this traumatic experience, having her by my side provided me with the additional strength needed to continue moving forward.
Caregivers often do not get enough credit. Dink O’Neal, 64, is a retired professional actor and is currently employed as a character-based usher for the Cirque du Soleil’s production “Ka.” O’Neal was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 60.
“God has blessed me with a wife and older daughter, both who are registered nurses, to support me,” he shares. “There was never a sense of panic or ultimate fear, but rather one of resolve and strength.”
O’Neal opted to have a laparoscopic radical prostatectomy to remove his prostate entirely. His wife, Teri, was by his side throughout his journey.
“Because of my nursing background I did not find the physical care difficult,” she says. “The hardest part was seeing him in severe to moderate pain and to see him worry about his health because his best friend had died of prostate cancer shortly before we moved to Nevada.
“My primary concern was keeping his spirits up and making sure he had a healthy diet to help him heal.”
Self-care is essential
No matter what the circumstance, caregiving can be extremely challenging. It can become even more challenging when caregivers do not incorporate self-care into their routine.
My wife sought support through family and friends as a way to cope with the uncertainty of my diagnosis and treatment. She also enhanced her knowledge through research and attending my doctor’s appointments, where she could ask questions.
“I made sure I got enough rest, worked out and ate healthy,” Teri O’Neal says. “The relief in knowing that I was receiving honest and full information and that his doctor used the most up-to-date surgical techniques helped tremendously.”
Throughout my health journey, especially during my lowest moments, I did my best to keep my routines consistent, such as attending church, even if it was virtually, regular exercise, at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night and going to work when I was able.
Dink O’Neal says his faith and the support from others strengthened his mental health. “My faith played a large part in my mental status, and prayers from those who knew of my situation bolstered me greatly,” he says.
Healthcare in Nevada
Nevada’s healthcare system has often been lacking compared with most other states. However, the outlook might be changing.
“I truly believe Dink might have died from this disease or had serious complications if we had not moved to Nevada from California and thus had fresh eyes and a doctor who took a more serious interest in the sudden increase of his prostate-specific antigen (PSA),” Teri says.
After I was diagnosed by my local urologist, I sought a second opinion from Johns Hopkins Medicine and a third opinion at UCLA, to see which treatment approach would be best. My urologist initially recommended surgery; however, the other opinions recommended “active surveillance.”
Since UCLA was one of the leading research entities in the country for prostate cancer and it was close to Southern Nevada, I figured I would transfer my urology care. But the logistics created unforeseen challenges. So, maintaining my urology care here in town made the most sense for me. My urologist is one of the leading specialists in Nevada and he is accessible, which is comforting.
Positive outcomes
During a visit with my urologist to go over my recent biopsy results, I learned the cancer in my prostate was heading toward remission. When my urologist discussed my results, he said he had never seen such a decrease in cancer volume without treatment. Interestingly, the only changes I made were dietary.
O’Neal had the procedure to fully remove his prostate in November 2022, and he has been cancer-free ever since, with no complications.
“Prostate cancer is considered to be one of the slowest-developing cancers, but if you are diagnosed as early as I was, letting it go unabated almost surely will lead to a reduction in your life expectancy,” he says, before adding a simple but crucial reminder, “Get checked!”
Sheldon Jacobs, Psy.D., LMFT, is a licensed mental health professional based in Las Vegas. Contact him at drjacobs10@hotmail.com.
