Knowing your family history matters
John’s journey with prostate cancer didn’t start with his own diagnosis. Years before, he received the news that his father had prostate cancer.
“We were really close so it was tough, but I learned a lot during that time. The six months I spent taking care of him were the best of my life,” John said.
After his father passed away, reality set in. John and his brother decided to get their PSA levels checked on a regular basis. About a year passed and then one day, John’s test showed elevated PSA (prostate-specific antigen) 
A high level of PSA in the blood can be a sign of prostate cancer. levels.
After further testing, John was diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer.
The importance of genetic testing
John’s initial diagnosis was just the beginning. After appropriate surgery and initial therapy, his doctor noticed his PSA levels continued to rise. After further testing, John learned that his cancer had progressed and was diagnosed with mCRPC. mCRPC (metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer) is a type of prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone.
After his mCRPC diagnosis, John knew he needed to explore more options. “Given the seriousness of the diagnosis, my wife and I decided to get a second opinion. We were going to fight this no matter what,” John said. Getting a second opinion gave John hope. “Prostate cancer treatment is continuing to advance. I knew there were other options available for me.” His new doctor agreed and recommended that John speak to a geneticist, who could help him better understand how changes in his genes may impact his cancer and his treatment options through a genetic test.
John’s genetic test results showed he had an inherited BRCA mutation. An inherited BRCA mutation means that the cell cannot repair damaged DNA and is more likely to develop certain cancers like prostate cancer after it has been passed down from parents to children. Knowing his BRCA status would be key to John’s treatment journey.
“There are certain targeted treatments available for adults with a BRCA mutation,” John’s geneticist told him.
“There are certain targeted treatments available for adults with a BRCA mutation,” John’s geneticist told him.
Unlocking a targeted treatment
John was prescribed a hormone therapy, but unfortunately, after a few years, his cancer stopped responding to treatment. He refused to quit fighting and sought out other options. One was LYNPARZA, a prescription medicine for adults with mCRPC that have a certain type of HRR (homologous recombination repair) gene mutation, like a BRCA mutation.*
Having already tested positive for a BRCA mutation, John and his doctor knew LYNPARZA was an option.
LYNPARZA is a targeted therapy used to treat prostate cancer when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, no longer responds to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone, and has progressed after treatment with the hormonal therapies enzalutamide or abiraterone.
*Your healthcare provider will perform a test to make sure that LYNPARZA is right for you.
“I really trust my oncologist to lead the way when it comes to choosing a treatment,” John said.
John is a real patient.“I really trust my oncologist to lead the way when it comes to choosing a treatment,” John said. “But I still did my own research and talked to my family before choosing LYNPARZA. My doctor and I were confident in our decision.”
“I was happy that LYNPARZA was an option for me because we didn’t know where we were going next,” John said. “I’m very happy with it and I’m currently responding to treatment.” John did experience a side effect while on LYNPARZA. He has had shortness of breath and has worked closely with his care team to help manage it.
John’s life today
Today, John is enjoying retirement by boating on the weekends, making dinner for his wife, and exercising.
“I was motivated to exercise by friends. Best choice I ever made,” he says.
Through it all, John is staying positive, despite having cancer. “I’m staying active. I’m taking LYNPARZA. I don’t miss an appointment with my doctor, and so far, treatment has been successful. LYNPARZA has been good for me,” John says.
“At my last checkup, my doctors said that LYNPARZA is working well for me.”
John is a real patient.This is John’s story on LYNPARZA. Individual experiences with LYNPARZA will vary.
“At my last checkup, my doctors said that LYNPARZA is working well for me.”
This is John’s story on LYNPARZA. Individual experiences with LYNPARZA will vary.
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