Valley Husband, Father Raising Awareness of Prostate Cancer After Personal Battle With Disease

Participating in Dignity Health Cancer Institute’s Shave-Off Event

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Dec. 1, 2025) – Brett Arthur, a prostate cancer survivor, is embracing a "no-brainer" way to raise awareness: shaving his beard. Following his successful treatment earlier this year, the 50-year-old is eager to educate men about the disease. On Monday, Dec. 1, Arthur will join hospital leaders at the Dignity Health Cancer Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center for a special "shave-off" event. This gathering, featuring student barbers, a barbershop quartet, and special appearances by Arizona Cardinals alumni and the Diamondbacks mascot, will mark the end of their month-long "no-shave November" challenge, all in support of men's health and cancer services.

“I was already getting questions from people about why I was growing out my beard last month,“ Arthur says. “Doing this shave-off will hopefully get more people’s attention and I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to shed light on why regular prostate cancer screenings are so life-saving.”

It was during his annual physical in the spring of 2023 when Arthur mentioned he had a family history of prostate cancer, prompting Arthur’s doctor to order some testing. The results showed Arthur had elevated PSA, or prostate-specific antigen, levels. PSA is a protein

produced by the prostate gland. Abnormal levels of PSA can indicate a variety of health issues. 

Arthur underwent a biopsy, but the results of that came back negative. Doctors told Arthur they would monitor it and instructed him to come back for a follow-up appointment in six months. Arthur ended up not coming back until a year later, this time seeing a different urologist.  Another biopsy was ordered, but Arthur did not go through with it as he was laid off from his job around that same time. 

“PSA levels and the possibility of cancer was the last thing on my mind,” Arthur admits.

Arthur went for another physical in December of 2024. This exam brought the unfortunate news that Arthur’s PSA levels had doubled since the last time he’d had them checked. A second biopsy confirmed what Arthur and the medical team suspected: Arthur had prostate cancer. Arthur was then referred to George Kallingal, MD, a urologic oncologist with Dignity Health Cancer Institute. For Arthur, Dr. Kallingal represents a turning point in his cancer journey.

“Dr. Kallingal was phenomenal. He gave me his cell phone number and told me to text him any time I had questions. I’ve never had a doctor do that for me before,” Arthur shares.

Eventually, Arthur had surgery to remove cancerous cells in and around his prostate. Arthur was last screened for prostate cancer in May and the results came back negative. Since beating cancer, Arthur has been able to hit the gym and gradually build up his fitness level again.

“Seeing Brett get back the quality of life he had before the surgery, and with no recurrence so far, it’s the most gratifying result,” Dr. Kallingal explains. “It’s the preferred outcome we hope to provide to all of our patients.”

Besides participating in the shave-off event, Arthur is sharing his experience and wants to leave people with this piece of advice: “Don’t skip your annual physical. Ask your doctor for a PSA level test. It’s a quick and easy blood test that could end up saving your life down the line. I want my loved ones and others to know about this and to take it seriously.” 

— ### —