Robot Helps Metro Detroit Dad Rik Stefan Fight Prostate Cancer

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) - 52-year-old Rik Stefan is a father and husband of 25 years.  He also recently fought a battle against prostate cancer.

"You think of it as an old man's disease, I guess, but I don't feel old yet," he said.

Rik's cancer almost went undiscovered.  His PSA, the blood test that looks for signs of prostate cancer, was normal, but his levels had spiked.  That got the attention of his wife, who works at the Michigan Institute of Urology.

"No signs at all, actually.  I went to the doctor.  I have a routine, yearly physical exam," said Rik Stefan.  "PSA's been creeping up over the years, but in the past year it jumped almost two points but it's still under four.  On the urging of my wife, I went and had a biopsy done and that's how they found it."

"I'm just glad we found it in time," said Terri Stefan.  "There's no such thing as a normal PSA, and it's more of a trending PSA and to watch it over time."

It didn't take long for Rik and Dr. Kenneth Kernen from the Michigan Institute of Urology to decide on a robotic prostatectomy.

"With the robotic surgery, the patients are home in a day.  They have a catheter for only about a week, and really in about two weeks they're almost completely back to normal.  So, it's a huge recovery.  Also, with the great technology of the robot, there's less in side effects, such as sexual dysfunction, incontinence and blood loss," said Kernen.

With robotic surgery, tiny instruments mimic the surgeon's movements.  Remember, trying to reach a walnut-sized organ buried in the man's reproductive region is tough.

We caught up with Rik less than a month after his surgery.  He said he is back to his old self.

"I had ... the catheter in for a week, and then two days after they took the catheter out, everything was find and I've been free and clear ever since.  So, I'm really happy with it and excited," he said.

Now, Run for the Ribbion is a Father's Day event at the Detroit Zoo that gets fathers, sons, uncles and brothers all in on the conversation about prostate health.  If you would like to be part of raising awareness and funds to help fight prostate cancer, click here for more information.