Ten years ago, on the last day of 1997, I learned I had prostate cancer.

The information probably saved my life.

Although 4,300 Arizona men get that diagnosis every year and 700 die from it, the Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation says many deaths can be avoided if the cancer is detected early.

After 10 years of negative PSA blood tests, my doctors tell me I’ll have to find something else to die from like being hit by a boat in the Santa Cruz River.

Although none of my ancestors had prostate cancer, my primary doctor insisted on a digital exam as part of my annual physical when I was in my 50s. (If you’re not a man in that age bracket, you know someone who is.) My doctor noticed in 1994 that my prostate gland was slightly larger, so he sent me to a urologist. The biopsy wasn’t fun, but it was negative.

After another negative biopsy in 1995, the urologist let me skip a year. But in my fourth visit in October 1997, he ordered one, even though my PSA number had fallen and I still had none of the common complaints of men with enlarged prostates.

When he did the biopsy on Dec. 15, I wasn’t worried. I assumed he would tell me in a few days it was negative.

Christmas arrived without a call. Finally, a nurse phoned to say the urologist had been sick but wanted to see me on the afternoon of Dec. 31.

My worst fear came true. He told me the biopsy was positive, but the tumor was small and was contained within the walnut-sized prostate gland. He outlined some options (surgery, radioactive seeds, chemicals, "watchful waiting," etc.) and gave me a pamphlet to read before my next appointment.

For a single guy with a date that night, it wasn’t a happy new year.

I did a lot of reading and consulting in the next few weeks. I read a half dozen books and consulted with two other urologists and a radioactive seed expert.

All, including the radiologist, recommended surgery because I was relatively young and the cancer hadn’t spread. And they also agreed I could wait a few months.

I jumped at the latter suggestion. I wanted to visit New Orleans in January for a Public Relations Society of America Counselors Academy meeting and enjoy a family reunion here in March.

Having worked to help get a new baseball stadium here for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago White Sox, I wanted to attend the opening of spring training at Tucson Electric Park in March, the season opener for the Tucson Sidewinders later that month at TEP and the Diamondbacks’ first National League game at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix.

I also wanted to see the Four Freshmen sing in Paradise Valley in April, use some more of my Diamondbacks season tickets and celebrate my birthday in early May.

And I needed to finish some work for my public relations clients and ensure they would be covered for a few weeks after my operation.

Everything went on schedule, and the surgery took place May 7 at St. Mary’s Hospital. It’s a quick way to lose 25 pounds, but I don’t recommend it if you can avoid it.

I joined a prostate cancer support group at the Arizona Cancer Center and the board of the Southwest Prostate Cancer Foundation. I’ve met a lot of prostate cancer survivors and forged new bonds with old friends who also are survivors. I got married in 2000.

Tragically, however, prostate cancer has claimed several friends in the past 10 years. Although early detection might have spared them, their diagnoses came too late.

That’s why I take every opportunity I can, including this 10th anniversary, to urge early and regular examinations for men in their 50s.

I hope you’ll help me spread the word.