On the June 26 episode of And Just Like That, Harry Goldenblatt, better known as Charlotte’s husband, reveals to Charlotte, played by Kristin Davis, that he has early-stage prostate cancer.
The bombshell diagnosis comes a week after an episode where Harry, played by Evan Handler, has a bathroom accident at a nightclub and has trouble getting an erection.
Charlotte’s reactions: panic and worry.
While Harry tries to reassure his wife that everything will be okay saying: “Everything is going to be fine.” He does ask Charlotte to keep his illness a secret from their friends and children.
It remains to be seen where the plot will go, but in the weeks to come Harry’s treatment options and the emotional aspect of the disease will play out for Harry, Charlotte and those around them.
Typically, early-stage prostate cancer has no symptoms, making Harry’s symptoms a bit out of the ordinary. Yet typically men are hush-hush about the disease, making Harry’s reaction very normal.
The big win, however, is awareness. The fact that a popular series like And Just Like That, is talking about prostate cancer in its plot line is impactful.
It’s also a call to action for men to get screened or for their loved ones to encourage screening.
Early-Stage Prostate Cancer
In the early stages, prostate cancer often has no symptoms at all, and if there are signs, they’re typically an enlarged prostate, frequent urination, trouble urinating, or pain in the lower pelvic area, according to the American Urological Association.
But experts say if you have any issues at all, get checked by your doctor. Men are also encouraged to follow recommended prostate screening guidelines for the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test.
Current PSA Recommendations
Men older than 50 who are at average risk for prostate cancer, should begin their conversations with their doctors about screening and PSA testing, according to the American Cancer Society,
For men at a higher risk, including African American men and those with a family history, the conversation should start at age 45.
And for men who’ve had a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age, the conversations should start at age 40.
Prostate Cancer Facts
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his life, and prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in American men behind lung cancer.
However, survival rates are increasing thanks to screening, awareness and better treatment options.
Nearly 99% of men with prostate cancer will live at least five years after a diagnosis. And one-third of those will live beyond that five-year period – even if the prostate cancer has spread, according to the American Urological Association.
Prostate Cancer Treatment Miami
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer at any stage, set up a consultation with the experts at the CyberKnife Center of Miami. We treat all prostate cancers — from early to metastatic prostate cancers – with a state-of-the-art radiation treatment known as stereotactic body radiation therapy or SBRT.
CyberKnife is a painless, non-invasive alternative to surgery for prostate cancer and faster than with conventional radiation.
- With CyberKnife, treatment lasts less than 10 days instead of weeks to months with other forms of radiation.
- The CyberKnife radiation beams, which target and destroy the tumor, are exceedingly precise. That means healthy tissue is much less likely to be harmed.
- Treatments are outpatient and last 30 to 60 minutes.
- Side effects are greatly reduced and for most patients are minimal and may include fatigue and nausea.
- If the cancer returns, patients can be treated repeatedly with CyberKnife.
- Five years after CyberKnife, the disease-free survival rates were 97%-100% for low-risk patients, making CyberKnife superior to the 92%-94% with conventional radiation, according to CyberKnife’s patient brochure.
- The rates were 88%-97% for intermediate-risk patients, making it equal to or higher than the 85%-90% reported with conventional radiation.
- And the 10-year disease-free survival rates with CyberKnife were 93% for low-risk patients compared to 81%-85% with conventional radiation.
If you or someone you love is diagnosed with prostate cancer at any stage, contact the experts at CyberKnife Miami for a consultation. We treat patients from across South Florida, the United States and even around the world.
If you would like to find out more about prostate cancer treatment with CyberKnife, call us at 305-279-2900 or go to our prostate cancer website now for more information.