Cancer Screenings Saved My Life Twice (And Why You Can’t Skip Yours)

I was in the best shape of my life when cancer found me. Twice.

Fresh off completing Ironman Florida—a grueling 140.6-mile race that tested every limit of my emotional, physical, and spiritual endurance—I felt invincible. My resting heart rate was that of an elite athlete, I could run 20 miles on any given weekend, and I took pride in rarely missing a workout. I wrote more about how that physical training prepared me for the battle I never saw coming. But in that moment, cancer with no symptoms was the furthest thing from my mind.

But on April 1st, 2022, while sitting at a red light on my way to a routine dental appointment, my phone buzzed with test results that would change everything: “clinically significant prostate cancer likely.”

The diagnosis hit me like a freight train. How the heck could I have cancer? I had no signs of prostate cancer—no groin pain, no difficulty urinating, no warning signs whatsoever. The only reason we caught it was because of a slightly elevated PSA level during my routine physical—a number just beyond the normal range, but one that had quietly doubled over two years.

Eighteen months later, lightning struck a second time. During a routine colonoscopy, my doctor discovered what he called a “significant mass.” This time it was Stage 3B colorectal cancer. Again, I had no symptoms of colon cancer—no blood in my stool, no changes in bowel habits, no abdominal pain. Nothing.

Here’s the sobering truth: early cancer screening didn’t just detect my cancers—it saved my life.

Twice.

The Power of Early Detection

Both of my cancers were caught at early stages where they were highly treatable. My prostate cancer was removed through robotic surgery, and my colorectal cancer responded completely to chemotherapy and radiation. Had I waited even six months longer for either screening, the outcomes could have been dramatically different. Even after treatment, the emotional weight lingers. Finishing doesn’t always feel like victory, especially when you’re navigating life after prostate cancer and trying to rebuild a sense of normal.

The statistics are clear: early cancer screening saves lives. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for localized prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent, but drops significantly when the cancer has spread. Similarly, the five-year survival rate for colorectal cancer is 91 percent when caught at Stage I, but falls to just 14 percent at Stage IV.

Still, millions of Americans skip their recommended screenings every year because they’re embarrassed, afraid of the tests, or it’s too inconvenient. I get it – trust me, there’s nothing fun about a colonoscopy prep or discussing your bathroom habits with a stranger. And we all have a million things to do. But consider the alternative: cancer with no symptoms, silently advancing while you feel perfectly healthy.

Prostate Cancer Screening: What Men Need to Know

The American Cancer Society recommends that men discuss prostate cancer screenings with their health care provider based on the following timeline:

• Age 50: Men at average risk who have at least a 10-year life expectancy
• Age 45: Men at high risk, including African Americans and men with a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65
• Age 40: Men at very high risk with multiple first-degree relatives affected by prostate cancer

The primary screening tool is a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. While not perfect—since PSA levels can rise for reasons other than cancer, it remains the most reliable method for early detection. Some men ask, can you have prostate cancer with low PSA? The answer is yes, which is why understanding your personal risk factors and monitoring changes over time is so important.

Here’s what many men don’t know: if your prostate is surgically removed due to cancer as mine was, your PSA should become undetectable. Any measurable PSA after surgery suggests the cancer may have returned, making regular monitoring crucial for survivors. I get re-checked every 6 months through a quick and easy blood test.

Colorectal Cancer Screening: A Life-Saving Appointment

Colorectal cancer screening guidelines have recently changed, reflecting a troubling trend: rising rates among younger adults. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now recommends screening begin at age 45 (down from age 50 a few years ago) for people at average risk.

Several screening options are available:

• Colonoscopy every 10 years (the gold standard)
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
• CT colonography every 5 years
• Stool-based tests annually (though these are less comprehensive)

You should start screening earlier or more frequently if you have:

• A family history of colorectal cancer
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Certain genetic syndromes
• Previous radiation to the abdomen or pelvis

The American Cancer Society emphasizes that colonoscopies don’t just detect cancer; they prevent it by allowing doctors to remove precancerous polyps before they potentially become malignant.

Breaking Down the Barriers

I know the excuses because I’ve heard them all and probably used some of them myself: “I feel fine,” “I’m too busy,” “I’m scared of what they might find,” “I can’t afford to take time off work.” “The test are yuck.”

Let me be blunt: feeling fine means nothing. I was running marathons with cancer growing inside me. If you’re wondering how I made it through both races and radiation, I share those insights in “8 Lessons About Resilience in the Face of Adversity“.

Being busy is irrelevant if you’re dead. And yes, they might find something, which could save your life.

The prep for a colonoscopy is absolutely unpleasant, but it’s nothing compared to chemotherapy.

A PSA test requires a simple blood draw that takes two minutes.

These minor inconveniences pale in comparison to fighting advanced cancer. And it’s during treatment that you find out who’s really in your corner. Here’s how my friends showed up.

The Bottom Line

I’m writing this not from a hospital bed, but from my home office, cancer-free and training for my next race. I’m here because two routine screenings caught two different cancers at treatable stages.

You might think you’re too young, too healthy, or too invincible for cancer. I, too, thought the same thing. Cancer doesn’t care about your fitness level, your age, or your plans for the future. But early detection can stop it in its tracks.

Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t put it off until next year. Schedule your screenings now. Your life might depend on it—mine certainly did.