Attitude of Gratitude: How one man’s positivity shaped his life after prostate cancer diagnosis

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Gary Garofalo, 70, leads an active life in Rhode Island with his wife, working full-time selling high performance cars, practicing martial arts, and enjoying time with friends and family.

Despite a vibrant life surrounded by people who help “keep him young,” Gary has always been careful about tending to his personal health. “Some people plan their vacation more than they do their health.” he said. “It’s your body and you have to take care of it.” So as a birthday present to himself each year, Gary goes to the doctor for a checkup.

Surprise diagnosis

For years, Gary enjoyed hearing from his doctor that his health was in good order. He knew that at some point, he may have to hear some tough news especially having experienced supporting his father during a fight with prostate cancer. Still, even after experiencing some trouble with urinating and seeking treatment from a urologist, he was not expecting to hear the word “cancer.”

His doctor had performed a routine blood test that measures the levels of a hormone called prostate specific antigen (PSA), and over several years, those PSA levels had risen to the point where the doctor believed it was a cause for concern. The doctor ordered an MRI, and once the images were in, recommended a biopsy.

Gary admits he was reluctant to go for the biopsy. “I was scared because I knew the odds — 1 in 8.” Gary referred to an estimate from the American Cancer Society of the number of men who will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. “I just thought, there is no way that is me.”

Thankfully, his doctor convinced him of the importance of the test, and the biopsy verified what Gary had feared: he had prostate cancer.

Learning from others before him

Having known six people who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer before him — including his father — Gary had a strong impression of what he did or did not want when it came to treatment options. He knew that several of the common treatments, including radical prostatectomy and radiation therapy, carried risks of incontinence or erectile dysfunction as side effects.

“My advice to everyone who faces a prostate cancer diagnosis is to do your own research,” Gary advised, “because the treatment, and the outcome, is a very personalized thing. What works for one person may not work as well for another.” His father had received radiation therapy in 2006 and had advised Gary that if he ever got prostate cancer, to not treat it with radiation.

With this in mind, Gary began reading into different options and seeking the opinions of doctors who understood his treatment goals. He wanted to receive a treatment that would help him manage prostate cancer while reducing the risks to his normal bodily functions. During his research, he learned about SpaceOAR™ Hydrogel.

Reducing the risks of radiation treatment side effects

When prostate cancer is treated with radiation therapy, parts of the rectum, bladder and urethra that are close to the prostate can also be damaged by the radiation. This can result in irreversible side effects like incontinence or erectile dysfunction, common occurrences for individuals undergoing treatment.

Gary asked his doctor about SpaceOAR Hydrogel and learned more about the FDA-approved, polyethylene glycol (PEG) based material. Designed to create a small, temporary space between the prostate and the rectum during prostate radiation therapy, SpaceOAR is intended to reduce the dose of radiation that cells in the rectum receive, which may reduce the risk of bowel incontinence or other related side effects of radiation therapy. Typically placed during an outpatient procedure before a patient begins receiving radiation treatment, SpaceOAR is naturally absorbed by the body after about six months.

The power of positivity

Gary underwent a total of 44 sessions of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and felt like every time he was at the facility to receive treatment, he was one of the few who left in a good mood.

“I was still working full-time, out in front of people as part of my sales job. And I realized, ‘Hey, I got this!’ Attitude is very important,” said Gary.

Gary did experience fatigue at times but said his experience overall was tremendously positive. He feels grateful to have been diagnosed with prostate cancer early, and to have found a treatment that has allowed him to continue his normal routine.

“Go live”

At the end of his treatment, Gary’s doctor told him that his positive outlook made a big difference in his recovery, and it was time for him to “go live.” Today, Gary’s PSA levels have stabilized, and he credits the skills of his doctors for his continued health.

Gary knows that not everyone who is diagnosed with prostate cancer will share the same experience, but he urges everyone in that position to do two things: first, do the research to understand what your options are, and second, listen to your doctors. Gary’s experience serves as a reminder to the people in his life that there are many treatment avenues for prostate cancer and each person has to take their own journey. For Gary, it has been a journey of vitality and gratitude — living every day to its fullest in recognition of what he has.

To find a doctor and learn more about how SpaceOAR Hydrogel works during radiation therapy for prostate cancer, visit SpaceOAR.com.

As with any medical procedure, there are risks involved with the use of SpaceOAR Hydrogel and results from case studies like Gary’s are not predictive of results in other cases. Please talk with your doctor about risks and benefits associated with SpaceOAR Hydrogel. A complete list of potential side effects associated with SpaceOAR Hydrogel can be found online at SpaceOAR.com/risks.

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CAUTION: U.S. Federal law restricts this device to sale by or on the order of a physician.