Beyond the Bank

My husband, Pat O’Shea, was the picture of health. An avid golf player, never smoked, never did drugs, didn’t drink excessively, maintained a normal weight and blood pressure, and wasn’t on any medication. If you had asked anyone who knew him, they would’ve said he’d live forever.

But none of that mattered when prostate cancer came knocking—silently and without warning.

We had no signs. No symptoms. No reason to worry.

And that’s exactly the problem.

Prostate Cancer Often Has No Symptoms

Prostate cancer doesn’t always come with flashing red lights. For many men, it grows quietly, without symptoms, until it has already spread. That was our story.

Pat’s cancer was discovered unexpectedly during a routine colonoscopy. After the procedure, the doctor commented, “Your colon looks great, but your prostate is HUGE! You should see someone about that—and my son is a urologist. Let’s call him now.” At first, we thought it might just be an infection.

But it wasn’t.

The cancer had already spread beyond the prostate, metastasizing to his spine and hips. The lower back pain he thought was from his golf swing turned out to be large, aggressive tumors compressing his spinal cord. There was no turning back.

What is a PSA Test?

Before Pat’s diagnosis, I had never even heard of a PSA test. PSA stands for Prostate-Specific Antigen. A PSA test is a simple blood test that measures the level of PSA in a man’s blood. Elevated levels can be an early sign of prostate cancer—sometimes long before symptoms appear. It takes just minutes but could literally save a life.

If Pat had been getting annual PSA tests, maybe we would’ve caught the cancer early. And when caught early, prostate cancer is one of the most treatable cancers. According to the Louisiana Cancer Registry, when detected early (localized), the 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer is nearly 100%. That “maybe” haunts me every day.

What’s a Normal PSA Level?

PSA levels vary by age, but here’s a general guide:

• 0 to 2.5 ng/mL – Low (Normal)
• 2.6 to 4.0 ng/mL – Borderline
• Over 4.0 ng/mL – Elevated; requires follow-up

Men over age 50 may see a gradual increase in PSA, but even slightly elevated levels should never be ignored. While a high PSA doesn’t always mean cancer, it should always lead to a conversation with your doctor and a referral to a urologist if needed.

What Happens If PSA Levels Are High?

If your PSA is elevated, your doctor may recommend:

• Repeating the PSA test to confirm results
• A digital rectal exam (DRE)
• Imaging tests
• A prostate biopsy

If cancer is confirmed, treatment depends on how advanced it is. Options range from active surveillance (monitoring) to surgery, hormone therapy, radiation, or chemotherapy. But again—early detection often means curable outcomes.

When Should You Start PSA Testing?

Most medical guidelines recommend:

• Men 50+: Begin annual PSA testing
• High-risk groups (including Black men and those with a family history): Begin at age 40 to 45

Here in Louisiana, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, and Black men are especially at risk. The state’s prostate cancer rates are higher than the national average, especially in underserved communities.

A Personal Call to Action

There’s no widespread campaign for PSA testing the way there is for mammograms or colonoscopies—but there should be.

Because the truth is: 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. For Black men, it’s 1 in 6.

So today, I’m asking you—whether you’re a man reading this, or someone who loves one:

• Ask your doctor about a PSA test.
• Don’t assume good health means low risk.
• Don’t wait for symptoms—they may never come.

Get tested. Every year. Starting at age 50, or earlier if you’re at higher risk.
It’s just a blood test—but it could be the one that saves your life.

#PSAforPAT

Free PSA Testing in the New Orleans Area

You don’t have to wait—and you don’t have to pay. Several clinics and organizations in the Greater New Orleans area offer free PSA testing, especially during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September:

• Tulane Cancer Center
  Free monthly PSA screenings every 2nd Tuesday—no appointment needed.
• LCMC Health
  Visit their site for special events like the “Man Up” PSA Screening, in partnership with Ricky Jackson, prostate cancer survivor and former New Orleans Saints player.
  • Saturday, September 6, 2025
  • East Jefferson General Hospital
  • Register here
• Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center
  Look for their “Prevention on the Go” mobile screenings throughout Southeast Louisiana.
• Orleans Community Health – Cancer Services Program
  Call 1-866-442-CANCER for referrals to free screenings and support programs.