Prostate Cancer: Vance's Story
November 27, 2019First Robotic Prostatectomy at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital
Allows Vance Perkins to Maintain His Active Lifestyle
Vance Perkins lives an active life. He works out daily with his 17-year-old son, coaches his 7-year-old son's football and lacrosse teams, and on Sundays during the warm weather he and his family like to go fishing. So when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, staying active with his family was among his top concerns. "I told the doctor I didn't want to be incontinent, I wanted a healthy adult life, and Dr. Roy Joseph told me he'd do his best."
According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States after skin cancer. In the past, the treatment involved surgically removing the prostate along with all the nerves around the organ, and the result was that 100 percent of men were impotent, and most were incontinent. Today, there are better options that include nerve-sparing, minimally invasive and robotic surgical techniques, as well as radiation, that have significantly lowered the chances for these life-altering side effects.
Vance was reassured by the calm and confident manner of Roy Joseph, MD, urology, Holy Cross Health. "I knew he'd done this before and would look out for my best interests, and make sure whatever cancer cells were there he would get out, and do as little damage to my nerves as possible," said Vance.
"From the phone call the day before telling me what to bring, to the phone call after my discharge asking how I was doing, I had a great experience with everyone.”
- Vance Perkins
Roy Joseph, MD
Dr. Joseph recommended that Vance have his surgery at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. "I've been operating at Holy Cross Hospital since 1997, so I know the Holy Cross commitment to patient care. I was impressed with Holy Cross Germantown Hospital's beautiful building and campus, the technology and the excitement of the staff," said Dr. Joseph.
Dr. Joseph performed Vance's procedure using the da Vinci® Surgical System, the first robotic prostatectomy performed at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, expanding the hospital's surgical offerings. "The robot helps with earlier recovery and less pain and bleeding," Dr. Joseph explains.
Speaking about his experience afterwards, Vance was clearly moved by the care he received at Holy Cross Germantown Hospital. "I exercise vigorously, I know pain, but I didn't know what to expect, so I was nervous," said Vance. "But from the phone call the day before telling me what to bring, to the phone call after my discharge asking how I was doing, I had a great experience with everyone. It's one thing to have a great doctor. But to have the entire staff treat you well before and after the surgery, that's huge."
One in seven men in the United States will develop prostate cancer over the course of their lifetimes, which fortunately is one of the most treatable forms of cancer. Holy Cross Health offers a variety of treatment options including radioactive prostate seed implants (brachytherapy), external beam radiation therapy, radical prostatectomy, hormone therapy and combination therapy.