When Ron was diagnosed with localized prostate cancer, he didn’t panic—he prepared. He dug into research, sought out multiple second opinions, and ultimately used genetic testing to guide a treatment plan that fit his life and minimized side effects.
Ron’s roots run deep in discipline and service. Born at West Point and raised in a military family, he later attended Rutgers University, where he joined ROTC, studied human kinetics, and competed as a wrestler. After serving in the Army and trying his hand in insurance, he found his true calling in education—spending 34 years as a teacher and coach.
But in December 2024, life threw him a curveball. During routine monitoring for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), Ron’s PSA levels suddenly jumped—from around 4 to 10 ng/mL. A biopsy confirmed prostate cancer with a Gleason score of 7 (3+4).
BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate that can cause urinary symptoms but doesn’t increase the risk of prostate cancer.
“I got the diagnosis on Christmas Eve,” Ron recalled. “I didn’t want to put a damper on Christmas, so I didn’t tell anyone right away.”
True to form, Ron responded with focus and determination. He dove into learning everything he could about prostate cancer and the treatments available. Over the following weeks, he spoke with seven different specialists—surgeons and radiation oncologists—and asked friends who had faced the same diagnosis.
“I became kind of an expert,” he said. “I wanted to know what I was dealing with.”
After hearing firsthand about the side effects some friends had experienced after surgery, Ron felt uneasy about pursuing a prostatectomy.
“I was concerned about incontinence, erectile dysfunction—the whole nine yards,” he explained. “Plus, I don’t like the idea of surgery anyway. So I was looking for something else I could do that would be just as effective.”
Radiation therapy was the other option, but it came with a similar risk of urinary side effects. Because of his history of BPH, urinary issues were especially concerning. He wanted a treatment that would not only cure the cancer but also protect his quality of life. That’s when his radiation oncologist at MD Anderson Cancer Center recommended the PROSTOX™ tests.
These genetic tests analyze a patient’s DNA to assess their risk of late genitourinary (GU) toxicity from radiation – urinary side effects such as pain, increased frequency, incontinence, or bleeding that can develop six months or more after treatment and persist over time.
There are two types of PROSTOX tests: one designed for stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) and another for conventionally fractionated (CFRT) and moderately hypofractionated (MHFRT) radiation therapies.
“[These tests] gave me something else: clarity,” Ron said—helping him understand his personalized risk and treatment options in detail.
The results were reassuring; Ron was at low risk for late GU toxicity from both SBRT and CFRT or MHFRT. “[That] gave me peace of mind—to know I was not at a high risk for urinary problems down the road.”
Confident in the data—and wanting to minimize treatment time—Ron chose SBRT, which involves just five treatment sessions compared to the 20–45 required for other radiation therapy regimens.
The therapy went smoothly. Ron had only minor urinary irritation during treatment, which resolved quickly, and his PSA dropped from 10 ng/mL at diagnosis to 1.2 post-treatment.
Seven months later, Ron is feeling great and has experienced no late GU toxicities from treatment thus far.
He’s back to doing what he loves—enjoying retirement with his wife and their dog, staying close with friends, flying his remote-controlled helicopters, and proudly watching his daughters thrive in their careers.
“I wish I hadn’t had to go through it… but right now, everything is going well.”
Reflecting on his experience, Ron says being proactive—educating himself, weighing his options, and personalizing his care—made all the difference.
“Get informed, ask questions, and talk to your doctor about testing options like PROSTOX. It helped me decide what treatment was right for me without unnecessary risks.”
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