Anthony Bridges, upon learning of his prostate cancer diagnosis six years ago, has remained consistently open about his experience, immediately sharing it with his Facebook friends. Currently residing in Georgia at the age of 68, Bridges dedicates his time to collaborating with others to encourage men to discuss prostate cancer screening with their healthcare providers.
However, not everyone shares Bridges’ willingness to openly discuss their diagnosis. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, for instance, chose to keep his prostate cancer diagnosis private, even from President Joe Biden, citing cultural, privacy, and personal reasons. Similarly, Princess Kate waited several weeks before publicly disclosing her own cancer diagnosis.
Such reactions are not uncommon, according to experts like Dr. Otis Brawley, who has encountered men unwilling to even discuss their prostate cancer with their doctors. Brawley, a professor at Johns Hopkins University specializing in oncology and epidemiology, recalls a time when cancer was often referred to as the “Big C” and rarely discussed openly.
However, public conversations surrounding cancer, particularly prostate cancer, began to change with notable figures like former Sen. Bob Dole, who openly addressed the side effects of treatment, including erectile dysfunction. Similarly, first lady Betty Ford’s openness about her breast cancer diagnosis and treatment helped destigmatize discussions about cancer.
Despite advancements in cancer treatment and declining death rates attributed to progress against diseases like lung cancer, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the United States after heart disease. As cases continue to increase with an aging and growing population, discussions around cancer remain vital.
Elaine Smith, a counselor at City of Hope Cancer Center Atlanta, notes that a patient’s willingness to discuss their diagnosis often depends on their personality. Some patients prefer not to be solely identified as cancer patients and may experience changes in how others interact with them.
Concerns about coworkers’ reactions to missed work for appointments and treatments also contribute to patients’ decisions to keep their diagnoses private. Dr. Bradley Carthon, from Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute, highlights the potential impact on work performance judgments in such situations.
According to experts, patients typically confide in their families about their cancer diagnosis, though this can still present challenges. Princess Kate mentioned the time it took to explain her situation to her young children, George, Charlotte, and Louis, in a manner appropriate for their age and to reassure them of her well-being.
Dr. Christina Annunziata, a cancer specialist at the Inova Schar Cancer Institute in Fairfax, Virginia, emphasized the additional difficulty of discussing cancer with young children, beyond the challenges of explaining it to friends, family, or coworkers.
Keeping a cancer diagnosis private can lead to feelings of isolation, as noted by Dr. Bradley Carthon. Dr. Paul Monk, who treats cancer patients at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, stressed the importance of having a support person accompany patients to appointments to ensure all information is heard and understood.
Anthony Bridges’ wife, Phyllis, played this supportive role for him during his treatment for advanced prostate cancer in 2018. Despite experiencing no symptoms and only undergoing a checkup at her insistence, Bridges felt compelled to share his journey, particularly with Black men. He is now involved in Project Elevation, a program aimed at reducing the stigma surrounding prostate cancer and promoting screening, operating through local churches.
Bridges emphasized the need to change mindsets and dispel fear surrounding prostate cancer within communities.
