Just Keep On Fighting

Randy Myricks & His Fight Against Cancer

In order for someone to battle with any illness or disease it requires patience, strength, and positivity. However, when battling the most severe illnesses one’s fate is often left out of their control.

Cancer has been one of if not the most lethal of all the diseases that wreck the lives of people around the world. In 2021 alone, cancer related complications resulted in the deaths of 608,570 people. 

Randy Myricks is a 78-year-old man from Las Vegas, Nevada. As of right now Myricks lives comfortably and recently hasn’t experienced any serious health issues. However, as I talked with Mr. Myricks he explained that earlier in his life that was not always the case.

Myricks explained that when he reached the age of 45, he began to go to the doctor for annual checkups regarding prostate cancer. 

“At 50 my prostate levels started to go up from 1 to 2.5, then 3 to 3.5 by the time I was 50”, Myricks explained. 

It was at that point that Myricks’ doctor recommended he go in for a biopsy. The results of the biopsy revealed that 1/3rd of Mr. Myricks prostate was infected with cancer.

“It was a very tough thing to hear,” he said. “Everything started to become less important and all I cared about was getting better.”

With great deliberation, Myricks chose to have the cells completely cut out. He explained that his doctor urged him towards that decision because it seemed to be the best decision for removing the cancer permanently.

Myricks explained that the operation occurred a week after making his decision and lasted for about an hour and a half. No radiation was needed to kill any cells after the operation. 

Following his operation, Myricks teamed up with his hospital to create a commercial designed to educate people about prostate cancer and encourage black men to get prostate exams as regularly expected. 

“I was aware at the time that there was and there might still be a negative stigma surrounding prostate exams for black men,” he said. “I just wanted to help get the word out that prostate exams can help save someone’s life.”

The hospital was very pleased with the results of the commercial and believed that the commercial resulted in the dramatic increase of prostate exams at their practice following its airing. 

This past year, someone reached out to Myricks seeking advice on their prostate cancer diagnosis. 

“I just told him that it would be okay and that the operation was ultimately the best decision I made”, said Myricks.

27 years following his diagnosis, Myricks still serves as an inspiring example to those battling cancer or any other health issue because he continues to fight and support others regardless of his current health.

For more information regarding prostate cancer, visit https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html.