“Focused Ultrasound Was the Light:” Peter’s Prostate Cancer Story
Key Points
- An avid runner and cyclist, Peter’s prostate cancer diagnosis caught him by surprise.
- Thanks to focused ultrasound, he is back to his active lifestyle and helping to spread the word about the “amazingly simple” treatment.
An avid runner, cyclist, hiker, and backpacker, Peter Dolan has spent much of his life staying active. By age 65, he had completed 37 marathons and wasn’t slowing down.
“I’ve always been a very active person,” Peter says. “I don’t intend to quit until I hit at least 40 marathons.”
That active lifestyle made a prostate cancer diagnosis especially surprising. He had no symptoms of prostate cancer, but he kept up with his annual physicals and routine PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests.
For years, his PSA levels stayed relatively low, but his doctor noticed a gradual increase over three consecutive years and referred him to a urologist.
“The urologist did an MRI, and it came back clean. But my brother had also received a clean MRI years earlier and a subsequent biopsy showed he had prostate cancer. He told me to get a biopsy to be sure.”
Peter followed that advice, and the biopsy revealed prostate cancer. Peter’s mind immediately raced to worst-case scenarios and having to share the news.
“When you hear the word cancer and then you have to tell your wife and kids, it’s a lot. It’s a heavy conversation to have.”
Searching for the Right Treatment
His doctors discussed traditional approaches, including surgery and radiation therapy. Having watched his brother undergo prostate removal years earlier, Peter wanted to carefully evaluate every possibility.
“I started Googling focused ultrasound. It really pays to be an informed consumer for your own health. And I was lucky because my physician was familiar with it and had even performed some focused ultrasound procedures.”
Together, they reviewed Peter’s case and determined he was an excellent candidate for the Focal One procedure.
A Surprisingly Simple Experience
When treatment day arrived, Peter found the experience remarkably straightforward.
“It was amazingly simple,” he says. “I checked into the hospital as an outpatient, and then I went under anesthesia. The next thing you know, you wake up cancer free. The procedure only took a couple of hours, and I went home later that day.”
Peter did need to wear a catheter while swelling subsided, something his care team had prepared him for in advance. To his surprise, recovery was far easier than he expected, and he experienced virtually no pain.
“Other than the catheter being uncomfortable, I wouldn’t call it painful. There was no significant swelling, abdominal discomfort, or lingering pain.”
Life As Usual
Just months after treatment, Peter found himself doing exactly what he had hoped to be doing: living life normally.
His wife has recently retired, and together they started a walking program. The couple regularly logs several miles at a time. He’s also returned to running, cycling, and preparing for backpacking trips.
“I’m still running, getting on my bike every once in a while, and started hiking with a backpack. I’m pretty much back to normal.”
His follow-up results have been equally encouraging.
“My PSA score was like at a 1 mg/ml.*”
For someone who once worried that cancer might dramatically alter his future, the outcome has been profoundly meaningful.
Why He Shares His Story
Peter has chosen to speak openly about his diagnosis and treatment, not because it was easy, but because he hopes it will help others.
“I sent an email to everybody on my running distribution group. I said, ‘This happened to me. It could happen to you.’”
He also hopes more men learn about focused ultrasound as a treatment option. While he emphasizes that focused ultrasound is not appropriate for every patient and depends on factors such as cancer location, stage, and insurance coverage, he believes men should at least be aware that the option exists.
Looking back, Peter often describes focused ultrasound with a single image.
“Focused ultrasound was a light. You talk about the word cancer and how it really darkens your perspective. And it did for a couple of weeks in my life. Focused ultrasound removed a lot of that darkness.”
*According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, for Peter’s age group, a PSA score of at or below 4.5 ng/ml is generally considered acceptable.
This patient story was adapted from Peter’s Curing with Sound podcast episode.
Watch a 1-Minute Video of Peter’s Story
Watch Peter’s Guest Appearance on Health Uncensored with Dr. Drew (7 minutes)
All patient stories are personal accounts of an individual’s experience with focused ultrasound treatment. Please be aware that each patient’s situation is unique, and outcomes may vary. The information provided in this story should not be considered as medical advice or a guarantee of specific results. It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your condition and determine the best treatment options for you. The Focused Ultrasound Foundation does not endorse any specific treatment or medical procedure and encourages all patients to seek professional medical guidance tailored to their individual needs.