Receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis can sometimes catch men off guard and cause them to panic. Their instinct is often to jump straight into treatment without first weighing all their options carefully. 

Up until now on the Prostate Health Podcast, we have spoken to many different experts and innovators about various treatment options available for prostate cancer. Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming Gogs Gagnon as our guest. Gogs is a prostate cancer survivor who got diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer in 2017. After having surgery and recovering, he decided to write a book to share his story, inspire others to advocate for their health, and help other men learn from his experiences. His book is Prostate Cancer Strikes: Navigating the Storm. 

Gogs is a prostate cancer advocate. He has created a YouTube channel to capture the details of his diagnosis. He has also developed a website and blog, and he is active in various prostate cancer support groups. He is a member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation, British Columbia Support Group Council, and most recently, he took on the role of the Content Creator for Prostate Cancer.Net. Gogs is joining us today to share his story. Be sure to listen in to hear what he has to say!

Disclaimer: The Prostate Health Podcast is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this podcast should be construed as medical advice. By listening to the podcast, no physician-patient relationship has been formed. For more information and counseling, you must contact your personal physician or urologist with questions about your unique situation. 

Show highlights:

• Gogs talks about his background.
• Gogs explains how his prostate cancer story began.
• What happened when Gogs had a prostate biopsy.
• For the five consecutive years that Gogs had his PSA tested, it was higher each year.
• The results that came back after a urologist suggested that Gogs should have an MRI.
• Getting the devastating news that even though he had no issues or symptoms, he had prostate cancer.
• At the time of getting his diagnosis, Gogs had no idea that there were many different treatment options for him to consider.
• More tests, including a CT scan and a bone scan, followed his cancer diagnosis.
• Gogs was advised not to make a rushed decision about the kind of treatment he would opt for before having his surgery.
• Gogs was concerned about two of the potential side-effects of prostate cancer surgery.
• Why he opted for an open prostatectomy rather than
• robotic.
• Gogs talks about the recovery process after his surgery.
• Thirty-nine months out of surgery, Gogs is feeling good and healthy.
• What men can expect in terms of follow-up after surgery for prostate cancer.
• Gogs shares some advice for men who have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Why Gogs recommends joining a prostate cancer support group as soon as possible.

Links and resources:

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Go to the Prostate Health Academy to sign up for the wait-list for our bonus video content. 

You can access Gogs’s book Prostate Cancer Strikes: Navigating the Storm on the Prostate Health Podcast website.