George Katonik – Prostate Cancer Patient Story

After test results showed my PSA was high, I was referred to urologist Dr. Sergio Giancola. He suggested a biopsy, which unfortunately showed prostate cancer. Later, he referred me to a radiation oncologist who, in the interim, left before my treatments were to start. I met with Kelly, the manager at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center Radiation Oncology at UPMC Northwest, and she reassured me that I was in good hands with Dr. Joseph Wang — and I was. My treatment included neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy and pelvic radiation therapy. The staff told me what to expect before, during, and after treatment, providing reading materials, and answering any of my questions throughout the entire process. I couldn't wait for treatment to be over, but later, I missed seeing the great staff. They made everything as pain free as possible — they became family.