Staying Active and Hopeful Helped a Rancho Cucamonga Pastor Beat Prostate Cancer

When Rancho Cucamonga resident James Smith, 68, began seeing a new primary care physician, he underwent a routine health examination to check the condition of this health. Given his age, James’ new physician recommended a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test that’s typically done for men ages 55-69 to check for prostate cancer risk. For men in their 60s, a PSA score of 0-4.5 ng/mL or more is considered abnormal. James’ PSA score came in at 10 ng/mL. After a biopsy, James was diagnosed with Stage two Type T2 prostate cancer.

Leading a lifestyle constantly on-the-go, James is a pastor at San Antonio Heights Community Church and the president of the Pacific Church Network. The diagnosis left James stunned. He had recently helped his wife navigate her uterine cancer treatment and was concerned about how the diagnosis would impact his quality of life.

According to the American Cancer Society, one in eight men in the U.S. will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes. Prostate cancer can be a serious disease, but it has a high survival rate, especially when caught early. The prostate cancer death rate has declined by 50% from 1993 to 2002 due to early detection and advancing treatments.

Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot that men can do to prevent prostate cancer. Doctors strongly recommend getting screened regularly to be aware of PSA levels. Symptoms of prostate cancer can include a weak urinary stream, fatigue, and hip and back pain.

“Prostate cancer can often have little symptoms until it reaches an advanced age,” said Dr. Sri Gorty, radiation oncologist, PVHMC. “James was fortunate that his new primary care doctor asked him to take a PSA test and start treatment shortly after.”

After meeting with medical experts and reviewing his treatment options, James chose to have radiation therapy at Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center’s (PVHMC) Robert and Beverly Lewis Family Cancer Care Center in July 2024. The process was difficult to accept as he had just watched his wife navigate radiation for uterine cancer and was familiar with the side effects.

Every step of the way, Dr. Gorty and his team helped James feel informed and confident through his treatment. James had been concerned about how radiation therapy would impact his energy levels and lifestyle. Aside from being a frequent traveler, he also played racquetball and pickleball weekly. To the disappointment of his friends, treatment did not affect his athletic abilities, and he continued to play twice a week, often beating them.

After a while James became more at ease and settled into his routines that allowed him to balance his treatment and maintain his active lifestyle. He was doing so well that even while under treatment, he was able to travel to Michigan to officiate a wedding and visit Japan.

Throughout his treatment, many men spoke to James about similar experiences with prostate cancer. It helped him understand the importance of regular health screenings as you age.

“You hear all the time about cancer, but when you have it, it is a little frightening,” said James. “But you get a good support team, you listen to your doctors and decide best treatment for yourself. It’ll all work out.”

James spent much of his time in treatment praying for people he knew.

“I made the most of the time I had in treatment,” adds James. “The radiation therapy room has a scene above it with a blue sky and clouds. Each time I laid down I looked up and used that time to pray for people that I knew – it was my ‘circle of prayer time.’ It was good way to take my mind off everything.”

After eight weeks of radiation therapy, in October 2024, James completed his treatment and rang the celebratory bell at the Cancer Care Center.

“Everyone came to watch me ring the bell - my four kids, their spouses, and 11 grandchildren. It was great,” said James.

James is glad that his cancer is now in the past. As of May 2025, his PSA score was at a two and his cancer remains in remission.

He’s staying on top of his regular health screenings and doing what he loves best—preaching, spending time with his wife, children, grandkids and keeping up with friends on the pickle ball court.