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Cancer-Proof? When Doctors Become Patients: Lessons from MDs with Prostate Cancer
What happens when physicians find themselves on the patient side of prostate cancer?
This special ASPI program grew out of a question from one of our webinar attendees, who asked whether doctors are somehow “bulletproof” from prostate cancer. Of course they are not. Physicians get prostate cancer at the same rate as other men, and when they do, they face many of the same uncertainties, emotions, and decisions as every other patient.
In this program, doctors will speak not only as clinicians, but as men who have had to face prostate cancer themselves. Several of our panelists have spent time on Active Surveillance, while others have also experienced progression and treatment. Together, they will reflect on what it felt like to receive the diagnosis, how their options were presented, what surprised them most, and what lessons they believe may help other patients and families.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Hear from a unique panel of physicians who have experienced prostate cancer from the patient side.
They will share what they learned about diagnosis, decision-making, Active Surveillance, treatment, communication, self-advocacy, and what it means to live with uncertainty as both doctors and patients.
Saturday, April 25, 2026 • 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Patients are welcome to submit questions in advance at contactus@aspatients.org.
In addition, there will be dedicated time for live Q&A following the panel discussion.
ABOUT OUR PANEL
Paul Schellhammer, MD, is a urologist, former President of the American Urological Association, and longtime leader in urologic oncology. He trained at Cornell Medical College, the Medical College of Virginia, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and later served as Professor and Chair of Urology at Eastern Virginia Medical School. He is also a medical advisor to ASPI.
In his words: “Over the past 25 years I have received virtually every therapy for advancing prostate cancer, thankfully responding to each long enough to be able to benefit from the next advance in therapy.”
David Nash, MD, MBA, is a board-certified internist and Founding Dean Emeritus of the Jefferson College of Population Health, where he remains on the faculty as Professor of Health Policy. He is internationally recognized for his work in health care quality, physician leadership, and public accountability, and has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed articles and edited 25 books.
In his words: “All patients need to be their own best advocate. This takes courage and a willingness to go against the grain. All patients can also educate their own caregivers.”
Gil Solomon, MD, MPH, is a family physician and physician executive with experience in both clinical care and medical leadership. He spent many years in practice and later served in medical director roles at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California. He has also taught through UCLA, the Keck School of Medicine, and community clinic settings in California.
Key reflection: Even with years of experience in clinical practice and medical review, living through diagnosis, surveillance, progression, and treatment as a patient is something entirely different.
Michal Holub, MD, PhD, is a Czech physician, Professor of Infectious Diseases, and Head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, and the Military University Hospital in Prague. He has authored or co-authored more than 120 scientific publications and brings both an international perspective and personal experience to this discussion.
In his words: “Active surveillance for prostate cancer is challenging — physician experience is just as difficult as any patient, because ultimately, in our shared vulnerability, we are all equal.”
Bruce Leslie, MD, is a board-certified internist and nephrologist who trained at Harvard College, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the National Institutes of Health. He spent much of his career in clinical and academic medicine in New Orleans before later working in pharmaceutical development on therapies for diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease. He has been on Active Surveillance since 2017.
Key reflection: Find a physician — or physicians — who will help you understand where uncertainties remain about diagnosis and treatment, and who are willing to engage with you in shared decision-making.
WHAT WE’LL EXPLORE
Many men assume that doctors must automatically know what to do when faced with a prostate cancer diagnosis. But medical knowledge is not the same as being emotionally prepared to become a patient.
What is it like to receive a prostate cancer diagnosis as a physician? Did these doctors already understand Gleason score, PSA, and Active Surveillance — or did that understanding change once they became patients?
How were their options presented, how did their families respond, and what were their most challenging and meaningful experiences? Looking back, what lessons did they learn, and what might they do differently?
This conversation will highlight the human side of diagnosis, decision-making, uncertainty, and learning to live with prostate cancer over time.
Saturday, April 25, 2026 • 12:00 PM Eastern Time