Palm Springs Cancer Survivor Raises Awareness for World Cancer Day

Feb. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. – Local 21st Century Oncology patient and prostate cancer survivor Gary Donnelly, 68, is sharing his story for World Cancer Day. This local radio personality and advertising representative is speaking out in hopes of encouraging other men to take charge of their health and get regular screenings for cancer. World Cancer Day is observed on Feb. 4, 2013 as a global effort to raise awareness and dispel common myths about cancer.

Donnelly visited his primary care physician at least once a year. In 2003, he began noticing a rise in his PSA levels, or Prostate Specific Antigen, a blood test commonly used to screen for or diagnose prostate cancer. After a visit to the urologist and a biopsy, the diagnosis was clear: Donnelly had prostate cancer.

“When I was first diagnosed, I immediately called my two adult sons to ask they get baseline PSA testing done,” Donnelly says. “Now that they have a family history of the disease, I knew the heightened importance of getting regular testing.”

21st Century Oncology Board Certified Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Peter Greenberg, treated Donnelly at the Rancho Mirage location. Using brachytherapy, or internal radiation therapy, Dr. Greenberg was able to precisely target the cancer while sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.

“I walked into this journey not knowing what to expect,” says Donnelly. “But, Dr. Greenberg took the time to explain everything about the process and answer my questions. There are no secrets with him, he’s in the business of educating and I trust this man with my life.”

One of the common myths about cancer is that it is a death sentence. For World Cancer Day, Donnelly hopes to inform the public that many cancers are highly treatable with early detection and treatment.

“I’m now a huge advocate for regular testing and making sure that if there is a problem, deal with it, do not ignore it,” says Donnelly. “I tell everyone I come in contact with that you need to know your PSA number. If the number is too high, make sure that you have more studies done.”

Donnelly continues to live a normal life, working full time at what he loves and seeing Dr. Greenberg every three months for checkups and an annual bone scan. His dedication to his health paid off: in 2012, an irregular bone scan found the cancer had come back, known as recurrence. Because it was caught early once again, Dr. Greenberg was able to successfully treat Donnelly, putting him on a hormone therapy and radiation therapy regimen.

“If you don’t trust your doctors, find somebody you do trust,” Donnelly suggests. “I thank Dr. Greenberg and the entire 21st Century Oncology staff, from the practice managers to the receptionists. This is a phenomenal organization and I would recommend Dr. Greenberg to anyone.”

For more information about World Cancer Day, visit www.worldcancerday.org

For more information about 21st Century Oncology, visit http://www.21cOncologyPalmDesert.com.com or call (760) 202-3946 to make an appointment.

About 21st Century Oncology:
21st Century Oncology is the foremost provider of cancer care services across multiple modalities, the largest radiation oncology provider. For more than 30 years, 21st Century Oncology has been committed to providing state-of-the-art, academic quality radiation therapy and other cancer treatments in a patient-centric setting focused on continuous innovation. Headquartered in Fort Myers, Florida, the physician-led company operates in 16 states and 7 countries, with a vast network of more than 250 locations, including approximately 100 radiation therapy facilities. 21st Century Oncology employs or is affiliated with over 500 physicians, including radiation oncologists and other cancer-related specialists—working together to deliver the most advanced integrated cancer care.