Taking on Prostate Cancer and Myeloma: A Man Named Steele
Posted: Wednesday, March 3, 2021
Many young men growing up likely pictured themselves as Superman—you know, the Man of Steel. With the most appropriate surname of Steele, one man has been through much in his life. Retired Colonel Gary R. Steele has had to take on numerous obstacles. Being a young Black American who overcame racial prejudice to become the first Black varsity football player at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He then served 23 years in the army, traveling to and residing in numerous countries with a wife and children.
However, the battles this Man of Steele faced later in life may have been his most challenging. In 2011, Colonel Steele was diagnosed with prostate cancer. At first, his treatment was not effective, so he entered a clinical trial studying the combination of the hormonal therapy bicalutamide and quarterly intramuscular injections of leuprolide. Within 6 months of starting treatment, his prostate-specific antigen level fell from 6.2 ng/mL to undetectable, where it remains today. In addition, he is still enrolled in the study.
Sometime later, Colonel Steele was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after going through excruciating back pain. His doctors then advised a treatment plan incorporating a combination of drugs, including the oral agent ixazomib plus lenalidomide and dexamethasone, zoledronic acid, cholestyramine for lower bowel issues, and acyclovir to prevent infection. Out of necessity, this Man of Steele has now become quite knowledgeable in pharmacology.
As a result of his facing life with cancer, the now 74-year-old Colonel Steele has become an active advocate in helping others with cancer, especially Black men. “Being a Black man put me at higher risk for prostate cancer and multiple myeloma. I know that minority participation in clinical trials is low, but we all have to do our part to advance cancer cures—not just for ourselves, but for our families, friends, and society as well.”
In addition, he is promoting the need for cancer prevention. “I have also been sounding the alarm about multiple myeloma and insist that my biracial children remain vigilant about undergoing routine blood tests to spot early signs of the cancer…and to maintain their annual cancer screenings.”
