Annual Checkup Leads to Prostate Cancer Diagnosis | Patient Stories

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Prostate Health, Says Former Lawman

In 2017, Lonnie Freeman had reached a high point in his 40-year law enforcement career: He was Assistant Police Chief for the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport – the third-busiest airport in the world, covering an area so large it has its own city designation and ZIP code, with police, fire, and emergency medical departments.

“It was rewarding,” says Freeman, who started his career as a military police officer in the U.S. Army and served at DFW more than 36 years before retiring in 2022. “I was working with talented people from around the world. I had a lot of people I was responsible for.”

Freeman credits his success in policing to a “solutions-oriented” mindset. When faced with a problem, he innately responds with a “this is the issue, what’s the next step” attitude. “I don’t get caught up in emotion,” he says. So, when Freeman was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer in October 2017, he applied the same mental toughness to his multistage treatment.

An annual checkup uncovers cancer

Freeman was feeling healthy when he went in for his 2017 checkup. He’d been having yearly physicals, which earned him points in his employer’s health and wellness program. He had a weekly practice of running and lifting weights. Other than an occasional hamburger, he ate a healthy diet of chicken, fish, and vegetables. He had no warning signs of prostate cancer.

During the checkup, Freeman’s primary care doctor of 30 years noticed Freeman’s prostate was “a little enlarged,” but he had no concerns. Later, when Freeman’s blood test results showed a higher-than-expected level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), his doctor suggested a visit to the urologist for further examination. A biopsy confirmed the presence of prostate cancer.

“I can’t say I was surprised by the news,” Freeman says. “Prostate cancer is high in the African American community, and I’ve known others who’ve had it. But I had no time for a pity party. I had things to do.”

Treatment at Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center

At the recommendation of a colleague, Freeman sought treatment at Simmons Cancer Center, where he ultimately received care from Neil Desai, M.D., and the team in the Department of Radiation Oncology, including nurse practitioner Tamara Dickinson, M.S.N., APRN.

Freeman appreciated the group’s “open, honest, and up-front” approach to educating him about everything that usually happens during treatment, including the energy depletion he would probably feel. He says he remains grateful for the kindness he received from everyone at Simmons from the moment he entered the front door.

“On my very first day to go there for treatment, the receptionist was smiling and upbeat,” Freeman recalls. “She said, ‘We’ve got you; we’re going to take care of you.’ It was comforting.”

Freeman also remembers what it was like to lie on the table and have his body marked for external beam radiation therapy. “Reality set in,” he says somberly. “This is really happening.” Still, Freeman thinks about how “professional and accommodating” his care team was during that serious moment, even asking him what type of music he wanted to listen to.

In addition to several weeks of external radiation, Freeman’s treatment included brachytherapy, which involves implantation of tiny seeds that deliver high-dose radiation directly to a tumor. He also had a round of hormone therapy as well as surgery. “I hope no one has to go through this,” he says, “but if they are treated like I was at Simmons, they will come out better for it.”

Sharing a cancer diagnosis

As a self-described “private person,” talking about his cancer diagnosis didn’t come easily to Freeman. For a first step, he brought his three adult daughters together for a family talk. Then to keep other family members informed, he created a private Facebook page. The group’s prayers, calls, and texts kept his spirits lifted. “Let your family be there for you,” he advises.

At the airport, Freeman preferred to stay quiet about his diagnosis. But when you work with detectives, he notes, it’s difficult to keep things hidden. Eventually, Freeman told the Chief and his co-workers. Most importantly, he told his administrative assistant, whom he affectionally calls “boss lady.” When treatment became “absolutely draining,” she would close his office door to guard his time.

“I’m less private now,” says Freeman, who found that as he opened up about his cancer journey, many family members, friends, and colleagues were receptive to his advice to get screened for prostate cancer.

“Prostate cancer is subtle,” Freeman warns. “It doesn’t always have symptoms. So, it’s important to do an annual physical and get your PSA checked.”

One of the friends who followed Freeman’s advice discovered he, too, had prostate cancer, so Freeman encouraged him to see Dr. Desai.

Don’t be afraid to have the prostate cancer screening discussion

Freeman completed his cancer treatment in 2018 but maintains a yearly check-in with his Simmons care team. Since retiring, he has more time to attend his granddaughter’s dance recitals and his grandson’s track meets and football games. He continues to exercise at his neighborhood recreation center, but in lieu of Monday staff meetings, he relaxes on the golf course.

Freeman shares this message: "Talking about prostate health should be as normal as asking, ‘What’s for dinner?’ Whether you’re on the golf course, the basketball court, or sitting in the backyard at a family get-together, it should be a conversation everyone has, including the ladies, who are often the ones to encourage men to see their doctors. There should be no shame in having this discussion.”

Freeman highlights a common fear men have about losing their masculinity if they find out they have prostate cancer, but he advises not to let that be a deterrent to getting screened. “Yes, your life could change,” he says, “but your life could also change if you don’t get checked: You might no longer be here.”

When to talk with your doctor about screening

About one in eight men will receive a prostate cancer diagnosis during their lifetime, with rates running higher among African American men. The American Cancer Society estimates nearly 300,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in 2024, and more than 35,000 individuals will die from the disease.

When you visit your doctor for an annual checkup, have a conversation about prostate health and prostate cancer screening. Most men can consider screening at age 45; however, African American men and those with a family history of prostate or other cancers should discuss screening with their doctor or health care provider at age 40.

To learn more, visit Simmons Cancer Center’s prostate cancer webpage. For help finding screening resources and care at UT Southwestern, contact our Cancer Answer Line at 833-722-6237 or CancerAnswerLine@utsouthwestern.edu.