Get Screened for Prostate Cancer

If you have ever scanned through Philadelphia’s FM radio stations, then you’ve probably heard Mutha Knows on Power 99’s Rise and Grind Morning Show, although after 10 a.m., he goes by his real name Kevin Ceasar. As a radio personality, Ceasar is no stranger to sharing his life with his listeners. However, Ceasar thinks his latest life development is one of the most important messages he’s had to share.

In April 2022, Ceasar was diagnosed with prostate cancer during a routine prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. Thanks to Ceasar’s dedication to preventative care, his cancer was caught at Stage 1, and he is now in recovery from radiation treatment. As a survivor, Ceasar wants to make sure all men, especially Black men who are disproportionately affected by this disease, get screened for prostate cancer regularly.

“Cancer runs in my family,” said Ceasar. “Last year, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and she started treatment just a few months before my prostate cancer diagnosis. My father is a 17-year survivor of prostate cancer. And just this April, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, too. It’s been a heavy year.”

According to the American Cancer Society, having a father or brother with prostate cancer more than doubles a man’s risk of developing this disease.

Ceasar’s urologist at MidLantic Urology, Dr. Phillip Ginsberg detected the prostate cancer. As a result of a routine PSA test, Ceasar found out he had an elevated PSA level of 5.0 ng/mL. The healthy average PSA level is 4.0 ng/mL or lower.

With this elevation, Dr. Ginsberg decided to check if this level was due to prostate cancer or another issue. Dr. Ginsberg performed a prostate biopsy under ultrasound guidance in the office, under local anesthesia. The results indicated that Ceasar had prostate cancer.

Ceasar worked with his urologist to come up with a treatment plan appropriate for Ceasar’s diagnosis and lifestyle. Through this process, Dr. Ginsberg referred Ceasar to Dr. Nicos Nicolaou, a radiation oncologist at MidLantic Urology, who oversaw Ceasar’s radiation treatment.

“Every day for 28 days, Monday through Friday, for 15 minutes, I went to get my radiation done. And there were definitely days where it was not fun, and it was the last thing I wanted to do. But your health is the number one priority, and you need to do what you have to do to take care of yourself.”

Twenty-eight days to a cancer-free life may sound easy, but Ceasar wanted to be open about his hurdles.

“Yes, there are side effects. There are bladder issues that I can’t even explain. I had some frequency of urination, but that subsided over time. And I’m still in the recovery process. I have good days and bad days.”

Many men who undergo prostate cancer treatment do not experience these side effects at all, however Ceasar understands that the possibility may discourage some men from undergoing prostate cancer treatment, or even screening. He wants sharing his experience to help change that mindset, especially for Black men.

“Black men are disproportionately affected by this disease,” said Ceasar. “God has given me the strength to bring awareness to this silent killer for Black men. Knowledge is power, and a lot of men don’t know how serious prostate cancer is, especially for our community.”

Despite the hardship, Ceasar is a believer that his prostate cancer diagnosis happened for a reason.

“I just want to step up and do my part,” said Ceasar. “Many men are very private about their prostate cancer diagnoses. I am using my voice for all of the men who wish to be private. Your health is the most important thing, not only for yourself, but for your loved ones. Get your PSA level screened regularly. Get your colonoscopy. Take care of your mental health. It is imperative. You will have your good days and bad days, but you need to find a balance and take care of yourself.”