Early Detection Is Key
- Funky Dineva, a 42-year-old YouTuber and pop culture commentator, has announced he is facing stage 1 prostate cancer. He has taken to social media to share his diagnosis to educate others and stress the importance of regular medical checkups and blood tests for men.
- SurvivorNet experts support standard screening methods such as a digital rectal exam and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. This test measures the level of PSA in the blood, and higher levels can indicate cancer.
- It’s important to note that Black men are at increased risk for prostate cancer, a disparity influenced by genetic predisposition, environmental exposures, lifestyle factors, and unequal access to healthcare.
- Check out SurvivorNet’s “Men Beating The Odds”—an inspiring series that shares the powerful stories of men overcoming prostate cancer and redefining what it means to survive—here.
- Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between are valid.
“All right guys, so I just got back from the urologist and let me preface with I’m sharing this information for educational purposes and not for sympathy,” said Dineva, whose real name is Quentin Latham, in a video shared on Instagram this week.
Read MoreHe continued, “It is very, very early. He mentioned something about a Gleason score and that mines was extremely low. So he’s like, you know, you caught it at the earliest of early phases, which is a good thing.View this post on Instagram
RELATED: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment
“He’s going to send off my, I guess, blood work or biopsies to do some genetic testing on it to determine if it’s a slow-growing cancer or a fast-growing cancer. So we can then begin to explore what our treatment options were.”
Reflecting on his conversation with his doctor, he said he was told that possible treatments could involve radiation, experimental medications, or robotic surgery.
However, due to Funky Dineva’s determination to confidently prevent the disease from returning, he recalled telling his doctor, I don’t need to wait for anything to come back. Let’s just go ahead and remove it, do a surgery by robot.
“And I have an appointment on December 8th with the robot doctor to set up surgery to get it removed.”
Expert Resources On Prostate Cancer
- ‘Men Beating The Odds’: A Groundbreaking Film Series That Celebrates Resilience After Prostate Cancer
- There’s No One Definitive Symptom for Prostate Cancer, But There Are Clues
- Don’t Believe the Hype: Do Your Own Research on Prostate Cancer Treatment
- Debating How to Treat Prostate Cancer: A Significant New Study Argues for Surgery Plus Radiation
- Debating Over Treatment of Colorectal Cancer – The New Evidence About Watch and Wait
- ‘A Profound Effect’: Treating Advanced Prostate Cancer With Hormone Therapy
- A Patient Guide To Prostate Cancer Testing
- Adjusting to Your New Normal After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
Funky Dineva admitted he still needs to better understand his options and read over the paperwork given to him at his doctor’s appointment.
However, with how he feels right now, he insisted his gut is telling me to get it removed.
“I want it cut out. I don’t want to go through radiation and all of these other things,” he continued. “So, that’s what’s going on with me guys. Don’t cry for me, Argentina. Yes, I’m a little down about it, but I’m about to take a nap and I’ll be fine.”
The social media entertainer stayed open with his fans and didn’t hesitate to cancel an upcoming show so he could rest and better process his diagnosis.
He captioned a followup post about his show cancellation, “After receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis today, I don’t have it in me to sit up in y’all face a cackled about a bunch of shit that does t really matter in the grand scheme of life.”
View this post on Instagram
“I’m in my room, in the dark, under the covers. I’m depressed but I’m also fine. I’m giving myself permission to go through the process,” he explained.
“For right now, laying quite in the dark is where I need to be. Thanks for understanding.”
Funky Dineva then advised his fans and loved ones that he will reach out to anyone who has contacted him soon, but for now he’s prioritizing some much-needed “alone time.”
The YouTuber, who describes himself as an Urban Pop Culture Critic, received an immense amount of support from fans and loved ones after sharing the news, with one commenting, “God already has the healing plan in progress! Lean on Him and have faith that he delivers on days no one else can!”
Another supporter commented, “Take your time, feel what you need to feel – process.. We will be here.”
A third fan wrote, “We will respect your decision to put you and your health first, and as much as we will miss you, it’s not wrong to take your FMLA through these times.
“We wish you peace, health, and clarity… if you do choose to return and speak it on, or become a health ambassador, I’m sure there are plenty of people who could use your guidance. But for now, you are the first and only priority, and may you heal in peace… Love Yours Fans…. Be Well.”
We’re glad to see Funky Dineva—who first captured attention with a drag-inspired persona full of colorful wigs, memorable catchphrases, and vibrant humor—making space for his own well-being during this challenging time and choosing to openly share his diagnosis with others.
It’s also comforting to know that his experience getting a biopsy, prior to his diagnosis, was “completely painless,” and something he revealed in a November 6th Instagram post.
View this post on Instagram
He explained, “It was a very easy procedure. For my fellas out there, THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO BE NERVOUS ABOUT! It was easy and painless!
“Go get your prostate and colon exams. Prostate and colon cancers are both curable if caught early! Ladies, please encourage your men to get there colonoscopies and the prostate exams. Early detection is the key!!”
Awareness In The Black Community
According to the American Cancer Society, men at average risk should start prostate cancer screening at age 50. Those at higher risk — including Black men and individuals with a close family history of the disease — are encouraged to begin screening earlier.
Black men, in particular, are now advised to start at age 40, which is 10 to 15 years sooner than average-risk individuals. For men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer, beginning annual screenings in their 30s may be worth considering.
“Prostate cancer affects men of all walks of life but it affects them differently,” Dr. Edwin Posadas, Medical Director of the Urologic Oncology Program at Cedars-Sinai, told SurvivorNet in an earlier interview.
“For example, the incidence of prostate cancer in African-American men is 60% higher, and they are two to three times more likely to die from the disease.”
Overwhelmingly Higher Prostate Cancer Rates For Black & Latino Men
As per the National Cancer Institute, death rates among Black men are higher or “more than twice” that of white men, ultimately leading to heightened efforts to boost early detection for this demographic.
When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will run a few tests.
One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for more significant amounts of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged, which is common, or it could signal an infection or inflammation.
Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.
Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered.
WATCH: How Gleason Grade Determines Treatment
Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered “low-risk” and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or more aggressively, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.
The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that men at average risk between the ages of 55 and 69 years talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends that men at age 50 who are at average risk should begin screening. Men who are at high risk of prostate cancer should begin screening at age 40. Men with a close relative diagnosed with prostate cancer should consider annual screenings in their 30s.
SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether and when to screen.
Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:
- Urinating more often
- Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
- Blood in your urine
- Trouble getting an erection
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
If You’re Diagnosed With Prostate Cancer, What to Expect for Treatment?
After testing and establishing your risk, your doctor will discuss possible treatment options. These may range from active surveillance to more aggressive options, including surgery and radiation therapy.
WATCH: Coping emotionally after a prostate cancer diagnosis
Surgery is an option for men with any risk group of prostate cancer that hasn’t spread outside of the prostate gland. The type of surgery most often used is called a radical prostatectomy.
During the procedure, the surgeon removes the entire prostate, along with some tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles that release fluid into the semen. Your doctor can perform this through a traditional open procedure with one large or several small incisions, called laparoscopic surgery.
WATCH: Sexual Function Recovery After Prostate Cancer Surgery
Surgery side effects may include erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Fortunately, the side effects are usually temporary, and there are ways to help you manage them.
“Erectile function is so sensitive when we’re dealing with prostate cancer because the nerves that are critical for this function wrap around the prostate; they’re just so intimately connected to the prostate that they can be damaged from a surgical removal of the prostate or through radiation treatment,” Dr. Isla Garraway, a staff urologist in the Veterans Administration (VA) Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, told SurvivorNet.
Doctors often recommend sexual counseling after prostate cancer treatment to help improve sexual function. This approach actively addresses the psychological, emotional, and relationship impacts on sexual health.
Radiation therapy is often done when prostate cancer is caught early and confined to the prostate gland.
When Is It Okay to Share Your Diagnosis?
Some people battling a disease or cancer are open to sharing their experiences as much as they can, while others prefer to keep it to themselves or close loved ones. SurvivorNet experts say both approaches and everything in between, are valid.
“Patients who have just been diagnosed with cancer sometimes wonder how they are going to handle the diagnosis of the cancer in social situations,” psychiatrist Dr. Lori Plutchik explains.
Questions like “How much information should they share and with whom should they share the information?” are things Plutchik says patients take into consideration.
Do I Need to Share My Cancer Diagnosis in Social Situations?
Dr. Plutchik explains, “There is no one right way to handle this diagnosis. People should do what feels right to them.”
A cancer journey can last months to years, which means cancer warriors may be experiencing a lot of uncertainty until they fully understand where their health stands. This uncertainty can influence when a cancer patient is ready to share their diagnosis, Dr. Plutchik further explained.
Dr. Plutchik stresses that those close to a person going through cancer should be respectful of their wishes when it comes to disclosing their diagnosis and seeking support.
Questions for Your Doctor
If you have experienced symptoms associated with prostate cancer or have a screening coming up, here are some questions you may ask your doctor:
- If I had elevated PSA levels, what could be causing that besides cancer?
- How long will it take to learn if my PSA levels warrant further testing?
- What are the treatment options that are best suited for me based on my risk level?
- What financial resources exist to help me with the costs associated with treatment?
- How long will my potential treatment prevent me from working or continuing normal activities?
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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