His grandfather and uncle both died from prostate cancer so Ray Anderson knew he had to be vigilant.
Monitoring his prostate-specific antigen, or PSA numbers, through a blood test and having the digital rectal exam (DRE) done at the doctor's office every year found Anderson's prostate cancer early.
"The most important part of surviving any cancer is early detection," said Anderson, 65, who also credits the medical team and support from his family, especially his wife Linda, for his successful treatment and recovery.
To help get the word out loud and clear about early detection, the Rotary Club of Prince George is raising funds for men's health by hosting the Big Blue Ball, a denim-formal wear fundraising event held at the Coast Inn of the North Saturday, Nov. 7.
The Rotary club has a community men's health initiative which includes a Mens' Health Day that more than 200 men have already attended. The mission for the Rotary club is to increase awareness of prostate cancer and also invite those in need to attend the Prince George Prostate Cancer Support Group - they can even bring a friend or their partner to the meetings that take place at the Kordyban Lodge, which is a fabulous facility said Anderson, who attends the support group meetings regularly.
In 2008 a lump was discovered during Anderson's digital rectal exam. Anderson was sent to a urologist who performed a biopsy and found three of five samples proved positive for cancer.
It was recommended that Anderson go to Vancouver as the Canadian Cancer Society's Centre for the North was not open in Prince George in 2008. It would open Nov. 1, 2012.
Anderson was sent to Dr. Martin Gleave, clinician-scientist and urologic surgeon, professor and head of the department of urologic sciences at the University of British Columbia.
"Going to see him was probably my life saver," said Anderson. "It was a very good team and he suggested we do the surgery. It was a radical prostatectomy where the prostate is removed."
He thought everything was going to be fine after that.
In 2012 his PSA numbers started to move once again.
"I'm not a doctor so from what I understand there were some cancer cells that were active where my prostate had been," said Anderson. "More really good people came to bat for me again and it was really close to the cancer clinic opening in Prince George but it wasn't open yet so I went back to Dr. Gleave."
It was time to take the next step. Anderson opted for a seven-week treatment plan for 33 rounds of radiation.
"It was all good," said Anderson. "I learned about positive thinking and I met some very strong-willed people and the staff were super good and very positive. It was a whole new world to me. I didn't suffer very much from the radiation and I never had any side effects - no sickness or anything. I did enjoy my time in Vancouver. I was close to Granville Island and I spent a lot of time walking and thinking and then I came home."
Anderson keeps getting his PSA tests and immediately after treatment he was having follow ups every three months and now he gets checked every six months.
"Here I am now with the Prostate Support Group and it's a good thing for the people of Prince George," said Anderson.
"It's a really good, positive thing and we're wishing for more members. I know there's a lot of people with prostate cancer in Prince George and we'd like to see them come out."
Anderson said he knows it's hard for some men to face the fact that they might need to have their prostate checked regularly.
"We need to get off our butts and say look it, I need to take care of myself," said Anderson.
"I really would like to see a lot more guys step up to the plate. I've seen many men pass on because of prostate cancer because they didn't deal with it when the problems started. I was very fortunate to catch it early because that's the key to survival. Early detection is everybody's best chance."
The Big Blue Ball features dinner, live and silent auctions, and musical entertainment provided by Vancouver-based Blackberry Wood. Tickets for the fourth annual Big Blue Ball are $85 each and are on sale at the Coast Inn of the North, Books & Co., Studio 2880 and online at www.thebigblueball.ca.
