For years, senior oncology account specialist Dan Morgan has helped doctors understand what Pfizer medications can do for cancer patients. In 2024, the script flipped when he became a patient himself. Thanks to his work, Dan knew just how to advocate for his health by requesting blood tests and diagnostic exams, and his prostate cancer was detected early, before he even felt sick.

Dan chose to work in oncology because of his family history. Back when he was in college, his dad had prostate cancer and underwent surgery. In 2003, when Dan started working for Pfizer, urology and cancer care were his areas of interest. As he learned about the company’s research and therapeutics, he also started understanding more about his own risk for prostate cancer based on his family history, as well as the importance of getting regular blood tests to screen for any changes to his health.

At age 39, Dan asked his doctor to perform a prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) blood test, which is a type of prostate cancer screening, so he could learn his baseline results and monitor them going forward. His doctor hesitated because of his young age, but ultimately agreed. The test results were within the normal range, so, with his provider’s encouragement, Dan filed the numbers away and went on with his life.

The importance of prostate cancer screening

Six years passed, and Dan’s older brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Like their father, he had his prostate removed.

Dan asked to have another prostate cancer screening and was alarmed to see his PSA level had doubled. “That was headed in the wrong direction,” he said. “With the family history, I said I wanted more follow-up.” Soon after, a CT scan revealed an area of concern, so his doctor ordered a biopsy.

Dan was at home watching TV on a Saturday night when a message came through his patient portal. “My wife was sitting on the couch next to me, and I was like, ‘Alright, you might want to pause that.’”

Even though he knew prostate cancer was common in his family, the diagnosis came as a shock.

What happens after a prostate cancer diagnosis?

The cancer was confined to just his prostate. That was a good thing: according to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for people with localized prostate cancer is above 99%.1

Dan considered all treatment options, including radiation and cryotherapy. After careful discussion with his doctor, surgery was recommended given his fitness, his family history and the nature of his cancer.

Still, this decision wasn’t easy. Surgery raised the risk for incontinence and erectile dysfunction, and for an athletic 46-year-old, that was concerning. But as the father of three young daughters, he knew it was the right course of action for him. “I needed to take care of this so I could go back to doing what I’ve always been doing,” he says. “Being there for my girls is the most important thing.”

What are the benefits of open conversations about prostate cancer?

In December of 2024, Dan underwent surgery. He was pleasantly surprised that he recovered quickly, and within a couple of months, he felt like he was back to his usual self. Although one thing has changed. By sharing his story far and wide (including this video on Pfizer’s channel), he hopes more people will see their doctor for regular check-ups and advocate for their health. “Advancements in medicine can’t help you if you don’t go to the doctor, and if you’re not your own health advocate,” he says.

Already, his advocacy has been effective. On a recent fishing trip to the Minnesota Boundary Waters, Dan says his friends all showed up informed about their PSA scores, and eager to talk and learn from each other about men’s health. He receives emails from people he’s never met thanking him for the reminder to get checked. Every time that happens, he knows his message is resonating. “It’s nice to see these things pop up and know they made a difference to somebody,” he says.

When Dan reflects on his experience, he sees it as a bump in the road. He never experienced any prostate cancer symptoms, never felt sick. Because it was caught early, he’s back to living life on his terms. “To me,” he says, “that’s winning.”