Patient Experiences
Mr. Art Cain
Atlanta, GA
Pictured above: Mr. Art Cain, PHEN Survivor Network Member shares his experience with clinical trials.
“I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2015. My biopsy showed a Gleason score of 8, but a bone and CT scan show no metastasis. Even though scans showed now spread, PSA Levels continued to rise”
Another bone and CT scan showed metastasis. Mr. Cain went on standard-of-care hormone therapy and his PSA levels did decline. However, when his PSA numbers increased again, he learned about another oncologist. He went to a medical appointment where the oncologist discussed a clinical trial at Duke Cancer Center for Mr. Cain. He entered the trial and found the drug combination therapy trial reduced his PSA levels to undetectable levels, which have remained undetectable for the last three years.
Mr. Sherman Womack
Boston, MA
Pictured above: Mr. Sherman Womack, prostate cancer survivor.
“Clinical trials were not introduced when I was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 18 years ago in 2005. I began learning more about clinical research over the last five years.”
Mr. Womack began chemotherapy in February of 2005. He has been treated at Mass General Hospital for the last 18 years and his oncologist wanted him to start a new clinical trial when the chemotherapy stopped working.
He first needed to complete his chemotherapy treatment and was then able to begin the trial in 2022. The clinical trial involved six treatments and Mr. Womack explained that the investigators and staff were very helpful, as he received numerous phone calls checking in on him. The trial also involved very minimal side effects, such as dry mouth and nausea. This discussion showed that clinical trial participation among prostate cancer patients is becoming more mainstream today.
Mr. DeWayne Charleston
Houston, TX
Pictured above: Dewayne Charleston travels to Ghana while receiving clinical trial treatment and enjoys his time there, surrounded by the smiles of children.
“If it was not for the advocacy of PHEN and their clinical trial navigator, I would have never considered a clinical trial as part of my advance prostate cancer treatment.
I am presently participating in a Phase III clinical trial and still refer to PHEN for support, advocacy, and educational programs like their “clinical trial rally” as I travel along my journey.”
Mr. Euvon Jones
Accokeek, MD
Pictured above: Mr. Euvon Jones, a prostate cancer survivor shares his experience being in a clinical trial.
“I was stage 4, with metastatized prostate cancer, and it had gone to my lymph nodes, through my blood, in my bones, my back and my hip, my chest, it was all over the place!
At that point, I didn’t even know what a prostate was. My doctor suggested an immunotherapy clinical trial. Now, ten years out, my PSA is normal and showing no signs of prostate cancer.”
This information is for educational purposes only and not intended as medical advice.
Patients should consult their medical doctor for advice and recommendations about specific clinical trials.
