Local DJ Spreads Prostate Awareness after Overcoming Prostate Cancer
DJ Tanto Irie is a successful on-air talent for the popular South Florida radio station, Hot 105.1 FM, featuring reggae beats on his show for almost 16 years. The admired DJ has always been active in the community, participating in organizations that help local children with their academics and life goals.
But in 2014, that outreach expanded after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Irie took to the airwaves to share details of his experience with the disease, his surgical treatment, and his recovery.
Irie received overwhelming support from his listeners – both from men who had gone through the same experience, and from others thanking him for being so candid about his personal health issues.
“One thing about me is that I want to help everyone I can,” Irie said. “You have to speak for the masses and I felt happy to openly talk about it.”
A part of the story that he shares is how the problem was discovered. Two years ago, Irie decided to have his prostate checked. He wasn’t feeling ill, but because of his age, race, and family history – all common risk factors for prostate cancer – he wanted to be proactive with his health.
“I only remember having to urinate more frequently,” says Irie, 66. “I did not recognize any other symptoms.”
Irie had taken note of the risk factors. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the United States, and it is estimated that nearly 3 million U.S. men currently live with the disease, according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.
Prostate cancer occurs more frequently in African-American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races; it seems to run in some families; and the chance of having prostate cancer rapidly rises after age 50, according to the American Cancer Society.
Irie went about finding help and it was a friend who works at Jackson South Medical Center who recommended that he see Gustavo Plasencia, MD, a Jackson South general and colorectal surgeon.
“When you speak to other men, they feel the same way I did,” Irie said. “I was scared, but I knew I had to do something about it before my prostate situation got worse.”
Dr. Plasencia performed a colonoscopy on Irie, which confirmed that he had an enlarged prostate and not colonic tumor. This meant the gland had grown larger, causing bladder and urination issues.
Dr. Plasencia referred Irie to Sanjay Razdan, MD, MCh. For more than 12 years, Dr. Razdan has been helping men in South Florida and around the world with his expertise in minimally-invasive robotic prostatectomy.
“I was comfortable with my decision after speaking and researching more on Dr. Razdan’s success stories,” Irie said. “He assured me that everything was going to be alright.”
Dr. Razdan performed a biopsy and the results confirmed that Irie had prostate cancer. His best chance at recovery was a robotic prostatectomy.
“With prostate cancer, it’s not just about facing the fear of cancer – it’s about facing the fear of erectile dysfunction and incontinence,” Dr. Razdan said.
Irie’s 90-minute robotic prostate surgery took place at Jackson South and was a success. With this type of surgery, patients have a short hospital stay, lower risk of infection, less scaring, and a quick return to normal activities.
Following the surgery, Irie had follow-up visits every three months, and now he sees Dr. Razdan once annually.
“To the doctors, nurses, and staff who took care of me at Jackson South, thank you,” Irie said. “I feel very happy; my life went back to normal overall.”
He continues hosting “Reggae Runnings,” the popular show featuring reggae tunes, and hopes to continue speaking on prostate care for years to come for National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September.
“I just want to share my success story and let men know that if you take care of yourself, you can live a longer life and be around for your family and friends,” Irie said.
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