A Pathway to Flourishing During Prostate Cancer

Harnessing the Science of Human Agency

DID YOU KNOW?

• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the U.S., other than skin cancer. It's also the second-leading cause of cancer death (after lung cancer). About 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
• In the U.S. in 2020, 201,082 new prostate cancers were reported and 32,707 males died from prostate cancer.
• Black men are much more likely to develop prostate cancer. One in six (1 in 6) Black men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime—compared to 1 in 8 men overall.
• Black men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with—and 2.1 times more likely to die from—prostate cancer than White men.
• The good news is that prostate cancer is very treatable and can often be detected early by testing for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in a man's blood.

Sources: American Cancer Society, 2023; Centers for Disease Control, 2023; ZERO Prostate Cancer, 2023.

WHAT'S HAPPENING?

In our new world where lasting change, growth, and renewal often seem insurmountable, the concept of miracles, as presented by Bran Ferren in his 2014 TED talk, brings a new dimension of hope and possibility. Ferren spoke about 'miracles' in innovation—groundbreaking achievements that reimagine what's technically possible. I believe this philosophy is particularly resonant in the realm of human survival and flourishing under extreme conditions. This resonates deeply with me, especially as I navigate the complexities of fighting prostate cancer. In these moments, miracles become deeply personal and are rooted in the science of human agency.

My cancer treatment and recovery journey is designed to navigate the unpredictable terrain of this illness and safeguard my physical and emotional well-being. It’s a path that empowers me to harness my innate capacity for resilience and growth, particularly as I confront this life-altering challenge. Central to my journey is embracing hope, not as a fleeting wish, but as a dynamic, energizing force fueled by my own agency.

WHAT MATTERS?

Hope through human agency, in my journey, is the belief in my power to effect change. In the context of positive psychology, the pillars of efficacy, optimism, and imagination are often defined by leading academics as follows:

Efficacy: Albert Bandura (December 4, 1925 – July 26, 2021), a renowned psychologist, defines self-efficacy as the belief in one's abilities to organize and execute the courses of action required to manage prospective situations. In my journey, I use efficacy to nurture a strong belief in my ability to overcome challenges and achieve my goals. This self-confidence will be crucial for me to actively manage and navigate my cancer treatment and recovery.

Optimism: Martin Seligman, often regarded as the father of modern positive psychology, describes optimism as an explanatory style for dealing with challenges, characterized by the expectation of positive outcomes. For me, optimism involves maintaining a hopeful and positive outlook about the future, even in the face of cancer. This will not only help me in coping with the immediate challenges but also in visualizing a healthy and fulfilling life beyond them.

Imagination: While not as commonly defined in positive psychology as the other two, imagination can be seen as the ability to create mental images of what is not physically present or has not yet occurred. Leading cognitive scientists suggest that imagination is crucial for problem-solving and planning. In my case, I leverage imagination to envision innovative ways to manage my treatment, visualize positive future scenarios, and develop creative coping strategies to handle stress and uncertainty.

HOW DO WE GET THERE?

These pillars of human agency guide me to take both collective and independent action, make informed choices, and steer my life’s journey towards flourishing. My objective is to tap into these pillars, fortifying my inner strength and resilience.

In essence, my approach transforms the notion of miracles from an abstract concept into a tangible, personal reality. It underscores the idea that the most profound breakthroughs often occur within us, reshaping our perceptions, our responses, and ultimately, our reality.

As I bravely fight cancer under the care of a leading urologic surgeon with specific expertise in robotic-assisted surgery, a compassionate primary care physician, and a visionary psychotherapist, both of whom have dedicated their careers to serving military veterans, the science of human agency offers me a pathway not just to survive, but to thrive and reimagine my future with unwavering hope, strength, and determination.

Whether you are directly affected by prostate cancer, supporting someone in their journey, or simply seeking inspiration in the face of your own challenges, there is power in hope through human agency.

ABOUT

I stand at the vanguard of luxury and technology. Deep domain expertise underscores my dedication to establishing a new standard in the luxury goods sector by steering towards a future shaped by the latest generative artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing innovations.

In addition to my professional pursuits, I am a dedicated advocate for prostate cancer awareness, with a special focus on Black men and veterans. My personal journey with prostate cancer has fueled my passion to raise awareness, promote early detection, and support others navigating this challenging diagnosis.

Prior to my career in the private sector, I served honorably in the United States Air Force for ten years, contributing to global peace and U.S. sovereignty. I am an alumnus of The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland, University College, institutions known for fostering personal and professional growth.

Human-AI Collaboration Disclaimer

As a highly-skilled knowledge worker, I collaborate strategically with generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) to enhance productivity and quality in my work, as guided by insights from the Harvard Business School study 'Navigating the Jagged Technological Frontier.' In this partnership, I utilize GenAI for specific tasks where it has proven effective, such as data analysis, information formatting, source retrieval, and empirical reviews. However, the creative and strategic elements of my work, including decision-making and idea generation, remain solely under my human control.

While GenAI assists in processing and organizing information efficiently, it may not grasp the full context or subtleties of nuanced human perspectives. My use of GenAI represents a synergy, where GenAI complements my skills, allowing me to focus on higher-level cognitive tasks honed by tacit knowledge, deep domain expertise.

I maintain ultimate responsibility and oversight over the outputs, ensuring their accuracy and relevance. This collaboration respects ethical considerations, including data privacy and unbiased decision-making. As both the GenAI technology and my understanding of its capabilities evolve, I continue adapting my approach, ensuring that this human-AI collaboration remains effective and responsible.

This collaboration with GenAI elevates the quality and efficiency of my work, exemplifying GenAI's transformative potential in professional settings. I advocate for GenAI's strategic use to enhance productivity and quality, while strictly adhering to legal and ethical standards. This ensures originality, safety, and compliance with copyright laws in all human-AI-generated content. Emphasizing human oversight and ethical considerations is paramount in such partnerships, guiding responsible and beneficial integration of GenAI.