IMAGINE reaching the ripe age of retirement, and just when you were hoping to bask in the enjoyment of not having to work anymore, you had to break barriers by wearing a mask of determination and will to overcome prostate cancer, which had reached a critical stage.

Charles Brown, 70, has been cancer-free since last year when he overcame prostate cancer following rigorous radiation treatment after being diagnosed at Stage Three.
He told Pepperpot Magazine that he knew he had an enlarged prostate due to his multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart ailments, and hypertension, but he wasn’t aware he had cancer.
He attended the clinic at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), where he went for a biopsy, which confirmed his worst fears. Brown was, however, referred to the Cancer Institute of Guyana, where he underwent very costly radiation treatment after being diagnosed with prostate cancer at GPHC.

He reported that he is a survivor today because of God and strong support from his wife, children, and other family members.
“I am a believer, and I kept trusting in God, and the money came because, at that time, I wasn’t in a financial position to offset that kind of expense,” he said.

Thanks to his faith and the generosity of others, he was able to pay cash for 25 sessions of radiation treatment five days per week for seven weeks. Brown revealed that cancer treatments are very costly; he had to pay $113,000 for a CT scan and $770,000 for the radiation sessions.
Brown related that when he needed four injections, even his neighbour, Mr. Khan (only name given), supported him and imported them for Brown at no cost. Brown is very grateful, as the hospital was charging $100,000 per injection.

The pensioner added that along the way in his fight against prostate cancer, people, including his children, wife, and relatives, helped him come up with the cash, and he was amazed at how things fell into place so quickly.
Brown told Pepperpot Magazine that after learning he had prostate cancer, he wasn’t bothered but rather concerned. He asked the doctor if it was a ‘death sentence,’ and the doctor replied in the negative, saying that if it is managed, the chance of survival is possible.

He shared that radiation has side effects, which are still in his body, and he has to avoid sunlight. Parts of his body must be fully covered at all times, and he cannot use scented soaps.
Brown added that he even surprised himself because it took a lot to reach the stage he is at now. Without a network of family support and early intervention, his survival wouldn’t have been possible.
The pensioner reported that his life is somewhat normal now, though he follows a strict diet, and some days are better than others.

Originally from Kitty, Newtown, Georgetown, he relocated to Farm, East Bank Demerara, seven years ago. He was a truck (bush) driver for 40 years, plying the interior route before he retired.
Brown stated that being cancer-free is a good feeling. He credits his good health to God, who has blessed him significantly, his wife, who is always there to support him, and, of course, his family and children.
He shared that he was beginning to feel discouraged, but he prayed a lot, asking for strength and good health to fight cancer, and he is happy he was able to overcome this challenge. The experience was very frightening, not knowing whether he would survive or not.

“I had always hoped for the best. I had the will to live for my family, and we collectively came together and did it because it was hard mentally, physically, and financially for us all, but we did it, and I am happy for that,” he said.

Prostate Cancer
“Prostate cancer occurs in the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and are confined to the prostate gland, where they may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

Prostate cancer detected early — when it’s still confined to the prostate gland — has the best chance of successful treatment.
With early diagnosis and treatment, prostate cancer is often highly curable. Many people diagnosed when the cancer hasn’t spread beyond their prostate go on to live normal, cancer-free lives for several years following treatment.” (Sourced from Wikipedia)