Mark's Prostate Cancer Experience

Eleven years after my prostate cancer surgery, what would I want a newly diagnosed man to know?

Welcome to Season 4 of Mark’s Prostate Cancer Experience. In this anniversary episode, recorded November 9, 2026, I reflect on surgery, recovery, recurrence, radiation, and living a full life beyond a cancer diagnosis.

I discuss how my thinking about treatment decisions has changed, the emotional side of recovery, and why sharing our experiences matters—for men and for their partners and loved ones.

TOPICS COVERED
• Treatment decisions and active surveillance
• PSA monitoring, Gleason scores and Decipher testing
• Preparing for surgery and pelvic floor recovery
• MRI, biopsies, radiation and my recurrence experience
• Continence, sexual function, relationships and emotional support
• PSMA PET scans and questions for your care team
• AI tools as a starting point for conversations with your doctor
• What’s next for the podcast and YouTube channel

My experience won’t be the same as everyone else’s. I hope sharing it helps you feel less alone and better prepared to talk with your own doctors.

CHAPTERS
00:00 11 years after prostate cancer surgery
00:37 Movember and men’s health
02:58 How treatment decisions have changed
04:36 PSA, Gleason scores and Decipher testing
05:42 Rethinking my own treatment decision
07:10 Preparing for surgery and pelvic floor recovery
07:45 The ProtecT study and active surveillance
09:06 MRI and changes in prostate biopsies
10:29 Surgery, radiation and my recurrence experience
12:08 Weighing treatment options
13:39 Sharing my story and feeling less alone
15:10 Emotional recovery, relationships and support
16:33 PSMA PET scans and rising PSA
18:18 Hormone therapy and living with recurrence
19:45 Life goes on and what’s next for the channel
20:46 AI tools and conversations with your doctor
21:59 A message to partners and loved ones

WATCH THE VIDEO
https://youtu.be/Bf32L5-CCFg

SUPPORT MY MOVEMBER FUNDRAISER
https://movember.com/m/zilbert?mc=1

JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProstateCancerExperience

CLARIFICATIONS AND SOURCES
This audio edition omits two passages that were clarified with on-screen cards in the video. The corresponding clarifications are included below.

Repeat radiation may be an option for selected patients; risks and suitability require specialist assessment:
https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/prostate-cancer/treating/recurrence.html

PSMA PET can detect recurrence at low PSA levels. A negative scan does not rule out microscopic cancer. Discuss rising PSA promptly with your care team:
https://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003892

This episode shares my personal experience and reflections, not medical advice. Testing, treatment and follow-up decisions should be made with your medical team. AI tools can make mistakes and should never replace professional care.

It’s been 10 years since my prostate cancer surgery — and today, I’m sharing the full story of what happened, what recovery was really like, and what life looks like a decade later.

Hi, and welcome to Season 3 of Mark’s Prostate Cancer Experience.

In this episode, I reflect on the day I learned I had prostate cancer, the decision to remove my prostate, the bumps along the way, and how I’ve stayed cancer-free for 10 years.

If you’re a man newly diagnosed with prostate cancer, preparing for surgery, or living with the after-effects, I hope my experience helps you feel less alone and more informed.

🩺 Topics Covered

• My diagnosis at age 51 and rising PSA levels
• Deciding between surgery, radiation, or active surveillance
• Recovery and regaining continence and sexual function
• What “positive margins” mean and how I handled recurrence
• Radiation follow-up 8 years later
• How I use AI tools like ChatGPT and Grok for medical research
• Mental attitude, faith, and staying positive through it all
• The future of prostate cancer treatment and AI

In this conversation, Mark discusses the recent revelation of Joe Biden's advanced prostate cancer diagnosis. He explains the significance of Gleason scores, particularly focusing on the implications of a Gleason 9 diagnosis. He emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of prostate cancer, advocating for greater transparency from leaders regarding health issues. He expresses concern over the potential consequences of ignoring symptoms and the need for increased awareness and education about prostate cancer.

Takeaways

▪️ Joe Biden's diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer raises concerns.
▪️ Understanding Gleason scores is crucial for prostate cancer awareness.
▪️ Prostate cancer can be a slow-moving disease, but early detection is key.
▪️ A Gleason 7 diagnosis often requires action to eradicate cancer.
▪️ Gleason 9 indicates a more aggressive and advanced stage of cancer.
▪️ Prostate cancer is manageable and treatable if caught early.
▪️ Leadership should set an example in health transparency.
▪️ Ignoring symptoms of prostate cancer can have serious consequences.
▪️ Education about prostate cancer is vital for public health.
▪️ Regular PSA testing is recommended for men over 40.

Sound Bites

"What a bombshell this was."
"Prostate cancer is a very slow moving disease."
"At a Gleason 7, you have to eradicate the cancer."
"Gleason 9 prostate cancer is very, very bad."
"I wish President Biden the very best."
"If you get it early, you'll lead a very long life."

📌 In this episode, Mark answers your top questions about prostate cancer treatment, surgery, hormone therapy, and life after recovery. As a prostate cancer survivor, I share my personal experiences with radiation therapy, prostate removal surgery, PSA levels, testosterone recovery, and much more.

⚠ Disclaimer: Mark is not a medical professional. He is a survivor sharing his personal journey. Always consult a doctor for medical advice.

🔥 If you’re dealing with prostate cancer, treatment decisions, or post-surgery recovery, this Q&A session is for you. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to support this channel and help others find this valuable information!

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Prostate Cancer Q&A

00:36 - Disclaimer: Not Medical Advice

01:01 - Why I Started This Q&A Series

02:10 - Question 1: How Long Does It Take to Feel Normal After Radiation?

06:50 - Question 2: How Long Does It Take for Scars to Fade After Prostate Surgery?

09:14 - Question 3: My PSA Went Up but No Cancer Found—Should I Worry?

12:11 - Question 4: How Long for Testosterone to Return After Hormone Therapy?

16:47 - Question 5: When Should Radiation or Hormone Therapy Start for Recurrence?

22:47 - Question 6: Should I Stay on Hormone Therapy Continuously or Take Breaks?

24:57 - Question 7: Can Radiation Cause Urinary Incontinence?

29:17 - Mindset, Positivity & Healing After Prostate Cancer

32:00 - Using AI (ChatGPT & Grok) to Learn More About Prostate Cancer

33:50 - Final Thoughts & Words of Encouragement

🙌 Support the Channel: If this video helped you, give it a thumbs up, leave a comment, and subscribe for future Q&A sessions!

#ProstateCancer #ProstateCancerSurvivor #MensHealth #RadiationTherapy #PSA #CancerTreatment #HormoneTherapy #CancerSupport #ProstateHealth

📢 Can ChatGPT help with prostate cancer? As a prostate cancer survivor, I’ve explored how AI technology like ChatGPT can help us better understand pathology reports, PSA results, and treatment options. In this episode, I’ll show you how I use ChatGPT to interpret my own prostate cancer diagnosis, making complex medical reports easier to understand.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER: I am NOT a medical professional. This video is based on my personal experience and is for educational purposes only. Always consult a licensed medical professional for any health concerns.

🔍 In this video, you’ll learn:

✅ How ChatGPT can help break down medical jargon

✅ What pathology reports really mean

✅ How AI tools can assist in understanding PSA levels

✅ The importance of working with your doctor alongside AI insights

💬 Join the conversation! Have you used ChatGPT or AI tools to help with a medical condition? Share your thoughts in the comments!

👍 Like, Share & Subscribe for more prostate cancer discussions and personal insights.

#ProstateCancer #ChatGPT #AIinHealthcare #ProstateHealth #CancerSurvivor #MedicalAI

atment options, and the importance of community support. He emphasizes the survivability of prostate cancer, the significance of informed decision-making regarding treatment, and the impact of surgery and radiation on sexual function and recovery. Mark encourages open discussions about prostate cancer and aims to provide valuable insights to others facing similar challenges.

Takeaways

• Mark's prostate cancer journey began in 2015 with a prostatectomy.
• He underwent radiation treatment in 2024, resulting in an undetectable PSA.
• Prostate cancer is highly survivable with appropriate treatment.
• Radiation therapy can have side effects, but is generally manageable.
• Understanding the importance of early detection and treatment is crucial.
• Choosing an experienced surgeon can significantly impact recovery outcomes.
• Kegel exercises are essential for post-surgery recovery.
• Reconnecting the brain to sexual function is a key part of recovery.
• Community support and sharing experiences can help others.
• Mark plans to engage with guest speakers to discuss evolving treatment options

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Prostate Cancer Journey

09:36 Understanding Prostate Cancer Recurrence

19:30 Future Directions and Community Engagement

Mark shares his experience with recurrent prostate cancer and his journey through radiation treatment. He discusses the use of ADT medication to reduce testosterone levels before radiation, the side effects of ADT, the process of radiation treatment, and the emotional journey of completing treatment. Mark also talks about the importance of early detection and the advancements in prostate cancer treatment that may eliminate the need for surgery in the future.  He is now finished with treatment, and will stop taking the ADT.  He wants his Mojo back.

Takeaways

ADT medication is used to reduce testosterone levels before radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

Side effects of ADT medication can include hot flashes, moodiness, and weight gain.

Radiation treatment for prostate cancer can cause fatigue and minor bladder irritation.

Early detection of prostate cancer increases the chances of successful treatment.

Advancements in prostate cancer treatment may eliminate the need for surgery in the future.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
04:41 The Radiation Machine and Completing Treatment
08:39 Starting Radiation Treatment
13:30 Side Effects and Weight Gain
17:12 The Journey Continues and the Future of Prostate Cancer Treatment

This conversation is about the recovery process after prostate surgery. The speaker shares his personal experience and provides tips and advice for surviving post-surgery. He discusses waking up after surgery, the presence of a catheter, the recovery room, hospital stay, diet, bowel movements, continence, and erectile function. He emphasizes the importance of kegel exercises and the potential side effects of surgery. The speaker also mentions the need for patience and understanding during the recovery process.

Takeaways
▪️The recovery process after prostate surgery involves waking up in the recovery room and adjusting to the presence of a catheter.
▪️Patients are encouraged to walk and engage in light activity to aid in the recovery process.
▪️Diet plays a crucial role in recovery, and it is important to eat nutritious foods to promote healing.
▪️Bowel movements may be uncomfortable initially, but they improve over time.
▪️Continence and erectile function may be affected after surgery, but with time and patience, they can improve.
▪️Kegel exercises are recommended to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and aid in continence and erectile function.
▪️It is important to have realistic expectations and seek support during the recovery process.

This podcast episode provides tips and advice for individuals preparing for surgery or radiation for prostate cancer or recurrence of prostate cancer. The host, a prostate cancer survivor, shares his personal experience and the strategies he used to prepare his body for these procedures. The episode covers topics such as diet, exercise, Kegel exercises, and the importance of a healthy body and mind. The host emphasizes the benefits of weight training, low-carb, high-protein, and high-fat eating, and using a continuous glucose monitor to track blood sugar levels. Overall, the episode provides practical advice for individuals going through prostate cancer treatment.

Takeaways

▪️ Preparing the body for surgery or radiation for prostate cancer can help minimize side effects and improve recovery.
▪️ Kegel exercises can help improve continence after surgery.
▪️ Weight training is important for both surgery and radiation to maintain muscle mass and bone density.
▪️ Following a low-carb, high-protein, high-fat diet can help regulate blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
▪️ Using a continuous glucose monitor can help track the impact of different foods on blood sugar levels.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Experience
02:19 Preparing Your Body for Prostate Cancer Treatment
09:11 The Importance of Kegel Exercises for Continence
13:01 The Benefits of Weight Training for Prostate Cancer Treatment
18:15 Following a Low-Carb, High-Protein, High-Fat Diet for Prostate Cancer Treatment
24:23 Using a Continuous Glucose Monitor to Track Blood Sugar Levels

Mark is halfway through his radiation treatment for recurrent prostate cancer. He shares his experience, how he feels, and what to expect for the second half. He discusses the decision to have radiation after a recurrence, the process leading up to it, and the difference between proton radiation and photon radiation. Mark emphasizes the importance of taking care of oneself before and during treatment, including exercise and diet. He also addresses common side effects and the cost of treatment. He appreciates the positive feedback he has received and addresses some negative comments as well.

Takeaways

◾️ Radiation treatment is a common option for recurrent prostate cancer after surgery.
◾️ Proton radiation is a more advanced type of radiation that minimizes damage to surrounding tissues.
◾️ Taking care of oneself through exercise and a healthy diet can contribute to a better treatment experience.
◾️ Common side effects of radiation treatment include bladder irritation and increased frequency of urination.
◾️ Positive feedback and support from others can be encouraging during the treatment journey.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction: Halfway Through Radiation Treatment
02:40 Background: Recurrence and Decision for Radiation
07:18 Proton Radiation vs. Photon Radiation
10:08 Taking Care of Yourself During Treatment
16:21 Preparing for Radiation Sessions
24:19 Positive Feedback and Addressing Negative Comments