SouthCrest internists Robert Niebergall, M.D. and Gary Postelwait, D.O. are on a mission.

As cancer survivors, the two doctors aim to increase awareness and provide insight -- particularly to their fellow men.  Facts are facts and the facts are that typically, men leave something to be desired when it comes to visiting the doctor and monitoring their health. 

Cancer is the second leading cause of death among men. While lung, prostate and colorectal cancers lead the way, there are other types of cancer that threaten men’s health, including testicular and breast cancer.

Please join Robert Niebergall, M.D. and Gary Postelwait, D.O. as they discuss “Male Cancers” on Tuesday, October 14, at 6:30 p.m. at the SouthCrest Medical Plaza, 91st and Hwy. 169, Education Center, Suite 145.  Doctors Niebergall and Postelwait are in a group practice affiliated with SouthCrest Medical Group located at 9001 S. 101st E. Avenue, Suite 230, (918-392-5470).

Dr. N’s Story

“Regardless of a man’s age, there’s just no excuse for a ‘macho’ or ‘cowboy’ mentality when it comes to taking care of your health,” says Dr. Niebergall. “It’s essential for everyone to know that just because you have no symptoms, doesn’t mean you are cancer-free.”

The good doctor knows of what he speaks.  After consistently receiving normal PSA (prostate-specific antigen) readings, Dr. Niebergall skipped the exam for a few years. “I felt fine and was having no symptoms whatsoever,” he says. In December 2005, when he returned for a PSA exam, his numbers had gone from 1.15 to 14!  (Normal PSA ranges are between 0 and 4.0!) “Prostate cancer is a ‘ghost cancer’ due to its virtual lack of symptoms,” Dr. Niebergall says. “I was stunned and thought I was a dead man.”

Now, nearly three years down the road and following aggressive treatment that included a radical prostatectomy, radiation and hormone therapy, Dr. Niebergall is cancer-free and doing great! “Every man who is 40 years of age and above absolutely must have a PSA exam every year. It’s as simple as that,” he says. “It’s also critically important to understand that if a person has symptoms of cancer, it’s not a death sentence; it’s just that the potential for recovery is prolonged.”

Dr. P’s Turn

Dr. Gary Postelwait experienced a more uncommon type of cancer – base of tongue cancer (squamous cell carcinoma). “Women also get base of tongue cancer; however, men are diagnosed with it 10 times more than women. So, in a sense, it could be categorized as a male cancer,” Dr. Postelwait says.

Unlike prostate and some other types of cancer, the symptoms of base of tongue cancer are more noticeable. “In October 2006, I noticed a swollen lymph node on the left side of my throat,” Dr. Postelwait says. (Some of the other symptoms of base of tongue cancer include difficulty with swallowing and a dry mouth.) “The lymph node wasn’t painful or anything and I can see how some people would ignore it and go on about their business,” he says. “In dealing with cancer, that’s just not an option. If I had done that, I wouldn’t be here today to tell my story. We’re not here to scare people; we just want to increase awareness.”

Dr. Postelwait spent the entire year of 2007 recovering from the cancer. “During that time away, I really missed the day-to-day interaction with patients,” he says. “I could never understand it when I would hear survivors say that something good comes out of having cancer. Now I get it. I’m a happier person now. Things that once would have stressed me out don’t now. Cancer really does put everything into a sharper focus and makes you appreciate day-to-day life much more.” 

Words of Wisdom

Drs. Niebergall and Postelwait are two doctors, yes. But, they are also two men, husbands and fathers who are cancer survivors with a wealth of insight and information they wish to share with others. “We feel like we’re here by the grace of God,” Dr. Postelwait says. “If we can share what we have learned through our experiences and make a difference to just one other person, then we will have done what we set out to do.”