Michael’s Story: ‘I Made the Right Decision’

In June 2021, Michael Murphy’s routine primary care lab work became anything but routine. His doctor sent him for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) prostate cancer screening test. The findings showed high PSA levels, and a biopsy found prostate cancer. After his diagnosis, Murphy saw a radiation oncologist, but he wasn’t comfortable with that doctor or his recommendation of radiation therapy. “I felt I was too young for radiation, because I didn’t want the residual effects,” said Murphy, 59, of Lewes, Delaware.

“I did research and decided my best option would be complete removal of the prostate, involving robotic surgery. I had to figure out the best place to do it and who the best surgeon was. That’s what led me to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.” Murphy wanted to be treated in Delaware, close to home. He started reading about Christopher Mitchell, M.D., director of robotic surgery at the Graham Cancer Center. Murphy was impressed with Mitchell’s experience and positive patient reviews, so he scheduled an appointment.

Oncologists at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, pictured above, work toward more effective therapies for patients.

“When we met, the first question I asked was: ‘Are you the best surgeon in Delaware to do this operation?’ and he smiled and said, ‘If you ask my patients, I get very good results,’” Murphy said. “I liked his confidence, plus everything that I’d read online, and I knew he was the right doctor for me.”

Murphy had Stage 2 prostate cancer, making him an ideal candidate for da Vinci robotic surgery for prostate removal. Murphy knew that Mitchell did several prostate removals every week, which made him Murphy’s ideal surgeon. “An experienced team that does high volumes of prostate removal is key for good outcomes,” Mitchell said. “Patients treated by low-volume providers have been shown to consistently have worse outcomes in terms of cancer control and functional recovery.” During their first appointment, Mitchell noticed Murphy’s running shoes, and they talked about running, which both were passionate about. “I really enjoyed running, but in the back of my mind, I was thinking, ‘Maybe I won’t be a runner after this,’ because I didn’t know what I’d be like after surgery,’” Murphy said. “But I feel no different now than I did before surgery. I give all that credit to Dr. Mitchell and his expertise.”

Moments before Murphy’s surgery in October 2021, Mitchell spoke with him. “He was a calm presence, and he reassured me that everything’s going to be fine,” Murphy said. Afterward, Murphy got a positive report. “Dr. Mitchell told me right away that he was able to get clean margins, which means he got all the cancer out, and he did it without damaging nerves that can have long-term effects,” Murphy said.

As Murphy recovered from surgery, he promised himself that he’d run his first half-marathon within a year. He was partly motivated by Mitchell’s advice to exercise for better health. Murphy had stopped running during surgery and recovery. He used a couch-to-5K program to begin again. “I was motivated, because I didn’t want cancer to define me,” he said. “One year and three days after my surgery, I ran my first half-marathon, in Lewes.”

At a different race, Murphy chatted with representatives from the American Association for Cancer Research. He decided to be an AACR-sponsored runner in a half-marathon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2023. He raised $2,500 for cancer research. Murphy invited Mitchell to run that half-marathon, but because of a scheduling conflict, they decided on the Graham Cancer Center 5K instead. Before the race, they snapped a photo together. Murphy sees Mitchell annually for follow-ups. Since the surgery, his cancer has been in remission, and his PSA levels are undetectable. “If I could change anything about my treatment, there would be nothing to change,” Murphy said. “I’m 100% convinced that I made the right decision for my treatment. He’s the best in Delaware.”