OpenTube

Why This 81-Year-Old Said No to Prostate Cancer Surgery

Intellectual Medicine

26,307 views

What happens when you choose a different path after a prostate cancer diagnosis? In this episode, Dr. Stephen Petteruti sits down with Baron, who shares why he declined surgery at age 81 and how he has managed prostate cancer while preserving his quality of life.

Rather than rushing into treatment, Baron chose a proactive approach focused on careful monitoring, healthy living, and informed decision-making. Together, he and Dr. Petteruti discuss what led to that decision, the challenges he faced, and how he continues to prioritize strength, independence, and vitality.

This conversation explores active surveillance, lifestyle changes, maintaining a positive mindset, and the importance of understanding your options before making irreversible treatment decisions. It offers a patient's perspective on living with prostate cancer while focusing on quality of life rather than fear.

Whether you've recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer or are weighing your treatment options, Baron's story provides thoughtful insight into what it means to make informed decisions that align with your goals and values.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to prostate cancer.

The right decision is the one you make after understanding all of your options.

In This Episode

00:00 Introduction
01:45 Baron's prostate cancer diagnosis
04:30 Why he declined surgery
08:15 Choosing a proactive management strategy
12:20 Staying active and maintaining vitality
16:05 The role of lifestyle and mindset
20:30 Looking back on the decision
24:10 Advice for men facing a new diagnosis

Enjoy the Podcast? Subscribe and leave a 5-star review on your favorite platforms.

About
Dr. Stephen Petteruti is a board-certified physician specializing in longevity-focused, integrative medicine. He works with men navigating prostate cancer, testosterone, and hormone health, aging, and performance using proactive, evidence-informed strategies grounded in real clinical practice. His approach prioritizes preserving function, strength, and quality of life while helping patients make clear, informed decisions beyond reactive, fear-driven care.

Resources 📚

Dr. Petteruti Men's Vitality Group
https://www.intellectualmedicine.com/...

Fight Cancer Like a Man
https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Cancer-L...

Dr. Petteruti's Newsletter
https://drstephenpetteruti.substack.c...

Get Supplement - Petteruti Prostate Vitality (PPV): https://www.intellectualmedicine.com/...

Podcast Show Notes
https://www.intellectualmedicine.com/...

Learn More 🌐

Intellectual Medicine
https://www.intellectualmedicine.com/

Dr. Stephen Petteruti
https://www.drstephenpetteruti.com/

Connect with Dr. Petteruti 📱

Instagram
Instagram: dr.stephenpetteruti

Facebook
Facebook: dr.stephenpetteruti

Listen to the Podcast 🎧

Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3om1BQG...

Disclaimer:
The content presented in this video reflects the opinions and clinical experience of Dr. Stephen Petteruti, DO, and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or guidance from your personal healthcare provider. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen or treatment plan.

20 Comments

@drstephenpetteruti Creator 2 months ago Pinned

Book: Fight Cancer Like a Man: https://www.amazon.com/Fight-Cancer-Like-Man-Breakthrough/dp/B0GP6JHQTQ
Get Dr. Steve's email newsletter: https://drstephenpetteruti.substack.com/
Member exclusive content & community: https://www.intellectualmedicine.com/membership
Consult with Dr. Petteruti: https://www.intellectualmedicine.com/consultation

@marklobrovich6001 2 weeks ago

Thank God for Dr. P

@neiloevocati 2 weeks ago

What a Wonderful interview, I'll have to share this with my 94 year old Dad

@malthered9547 2 weeks ago

if I knew in 2020 what I know now I would never have had a biopsy and never would have had my prostate removed

@glennmariacher4525 2 weeks ago

As a massage therapist, I had a client with a PSA of 20. They MRI'd him but he didn't have cancer. As far as I know, he is fine today. Also, I saw how they had frozen two cancer cells in a prostate 70 years ago. There were three more cells to the left that they didn't freeze and they died too. The person was cancer free.

@tegbirsingh4625 3 weeks ago

That's the spirit - live life to the fullest.

@eatdawg1 2 weeks ago

Your videos are awesome. My psa went from 1.6 in February to 3.2 in August. Last week it was 3.67. I am terrified but I have faith in God and your videos have taught me a lot in the last few days.

@JDinky652 2 weeks ago

The digital rectal exam can be useful in distinguishing hard/fibrotic tumors from soft ones. The fibrotic tumors tend to be more aggressive/deadly than the soft ones.

@mikeilievski6692 2 months ago

Great information Doctor

@itellu3times 12 days ago

I'm glad it's not still 1989, or even 1990, and things are changing rapidly in PC. I'd like to have attached Baron's PSA numbers to the story. There were far fewer differential diagnoses back then. So this is an anecdotal story - and a good one! It is important to hear good anecdotal stories, if you can't find ANY that would be a bad sign! Just a guy walking around 34 years after diagnosis is a good story! Thanks to you both for sharing.

@Dickinson-sf 3 weeks ago

Superb love the information.

@alexe610 3 weeks ago (edited)

The Prostate Screening Epigenetic (PSE) test, developed by Oxford BioDynamics is very good to prognosticate prostate cancer. Also, an emerging epigenetic test, called urine-based epiCaPture assay shows promise in detecting aggressive prostate cancer by analyzing DNA methylation patterns. No need for/to biopsy. NO NEED. An urologist can put you on darolutamide or Pluvicto and everything will turn out fine. But they don't and force you to get a biopsy. Biopsy Business .

@scottswin4236 3 weeks ago

Having a prostate biopsy was the most painful thing I’ve ever gone through in my life even though they gave me laughing Gas and a pill to calm me down. I felt like I was part of a Nazi experiment. They stabbed me 13 times.

@dslapster64 3 weeks ago

Thank you for this. I’m a 62 year-old man of African descent who has had a biopsy. They said my Gleeson score is a 4+4 = 8. That means of course that it is progressive. They have me now on ADT. Which is awful and I am strongly considering coming off of this because apparently the cancer did come outside of the prostate after the biopsy. I have a funny feeling that the doctor is correct that possibly that was spread by the biopsy. At any rate, what do you suggest that I do in light of them heavily pushing the surgery. What do you suggest Dr?

@Red-by8gt 12 days ago

Dr Stephen Petteruti, I live in the UK and would love to visit you, I have prostate cancer. please come back to me!

@neiloevocati 2 weeks ago

The Poking and Probing reminds me of why President Lincoln died days later, it wasn't the Bullet, it was the Ineptness of the Doctors

@mrtbrocks5664 8 days ago

What was his PSA history? What was his Gleason Score? How many of the biopsied cores showed "4+3"? Unless I missed it, I didn't see these somewhat critical details mentioned.

@thtoon8234 2 weeks ago

Great podcast and very informative.
Dr Petteruti, could you please do a podcast on your opinions about continuous glucose monitors and whether they are worth the expense to monitor sugar spikes?
As you have mentioned, sugar adds flames to the fire for cancer, as such are cgm's the best way to monitor your sugar intake?
thanks