I’m Travis, a prostate cancer survivor from the USA.

For me, my diagnosis felt expected. I tested myself as my dad and uncle had cancer as well.

My dad and uncle had cancer so I got tested at a hospital. In the end, I was diagnosed with stage 1 prostate cancer. My doctor told me I had a 5-year survival rate of 90%.

Since then, I’ve started eating healthier every day, and doubled how often I exercised.

Initially, I was recommended a radical prostatectomy (removal of the entire prostate), and radiation therapy, which I was going to do. However it was found that my cancer wasn’t as serious as the doctors thought. In the end, I did a prostatectomy (partial removal of the prostate) instead, as well as the radiation therapy. After changing the plan, I felt quite a bit happier and motivated, and a little less scared.

After completing my treatment, I’m now in remission, thankfully.

The most intense side effects for me were fatigue and pelvic pain. To manage them, I relied on eating better and medication as prescribed.

In the long term, I tried my best to continue eating healthier every day, and keep up with the more frequent exercise. I also found myself spending more time in contact with my parents. Still, I found that intimacy with my partner fell after treatment.

In the next two years, I plan to drive out to see my parents back home, travel, and pursue my master’s. My biggest aspiration for now is to get my master’s in public health to study disease epidemiology. I guess this motivated me to learn more about prostate cancer. I also want to be there for my folks.

As a survivor, my biggest fear is recurrence. I see a therapist to manage my anxiety, and talk about cancer with my dad too.

I feel neutral.

To others, I would say: “There’s so much to look forward to in life after cancer, so do your best to push through it all. ”