Fred and Paul Cook, our 2007, Father and Son Honoraries, found that prostate cancer is passed down from fathers to sons.  Dr. Fred Cook was diagnosed with prostate cancer shortly after retiring from his career as an anesthesiologist at Chippewa’s St Joseph’s Hospital in 1986.  His cancer was diagnosed by a prostate-specific antigen blood test administered by his doctor.  He had his prostate removed after a biopsy indicated that he did indeed have cancer.  After following up the surgery with radiation treatments, Fred has been cancer free for 17 years.

 

Because of his father’s diagnosis, Paul Cook’s risk of developing prostate cancer was doubled.  He began having regular PSA tests after the age of 45.  In 2006, an elevated PSA test caused his doctor to recommend a prostate biopsy.  When the biopsy showed cancer, Paul had his prostate removed and no spread of the cancer was found.  Paul is now cancer free and continues to have annual PSA tests.