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Just over a decade ago, Allen Larson went to the doctor for his physical and learned through a blood test that he had prostate cancer.
What made the diagnosis all the more frightening was that Larson, a Danville native who was living in Los Angeles at the time, was only 41 with his first child’s birth a month away.
“Having a daughter coming and knowing there’s a cancer growing inside of you is a scary thing,” Larson, a Pleasanton resident who works in talent management, said in a recent interview.
Larson knew of the risk — his father had prostate cancer, as well — but had no indication before being diagnosed as prostate cancer is mostly symptomless, according to Prostate Cancer Foundation president and CEO Dr. Jonathan Simons.
There are several treatment options for prostate cancer depending on the stage at diagnosis, including radiation therapy and surgery. Larson opted for the latter, and the procedure took place in January 2008.
The surgery was successful, but Larson suffered complications afterward when reintroducing blood thinners he takes for a heart condition into his system. He had internal bleeding and his kidneys shut down.
“I told (my dad) he didn’t have to worry because I’m a dad and I’m not going anywhere,” Larson recalled.
It was a long road to recovery, but Larson has been cancer-free since the surgery and now says he’s “in darn good shape.”
As a prostate cancer survivor, he’s now serving as an advocate for the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s new Many vs. Cancer initiative, a crowdfunding effort with a goal of eradicating prostate cancer over the next five years.
Through the Many vs. Cancer website, users can set up a fundraising page and invite family and friends to contribute. All funds raised support the foundation’s research.
“The idea that they’re getting closer to a cure every day and it’s just a matter of getting funding to the right people is thrilling,” Larson said. “This is a big deal.”
With the Many vs. Cancer initiative, Larson is spreading the word not only about the importance of raising funds to help find a cure for prostate cancer, but also the importance of getting tested. Men who are at average risk of prostate cancer and expected to live at least another decade should discuss it with their doctor at age 50; men at high risk — African Americans and those with a father, brother or son who were diagnosed younger than 65 — should discuss it at age 45, and at age 40 for those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before 65, according to Simons.
“Men need to get tested,” Larson said. “Early detection makes all the difference.”
For more information, visit http://www.manyvscancer.org.
