Before that, I didn't realize just how prevalent prostate cancer was. Turns out it's the most common form of cancer in American men, with more than 200,000 new cases – and 32,000 deaths – each year. While it's not commonly found in men under age 50, those with a family history are definitely susceptible and at high risk.

The good news? If it's caught before it spreads beyond the prostate it's highly treatable. But that's the key – early detection. Get tested, my friends.

Let me share my story.

My father and father-in-law passed away in 1996 and 1997, respectively, after fighting the disease for six years each. After their passing, my five brothers and I started getting tested regularly. I was only in my mid-30s at the time, but my family physician convinced me to start these early checks. And I'm glad he did.

We all know what this test entails. Most guys get a little squirmy just talking (or reading) about it. But let me tell you, it's a minor discomfort for a major benefit.

I’m pictured here (on the left) with my two urologists. In the middle is Dr. Robert Ricchiuti and next to him is his son, Dr. Dan Ricchiuti. They both worked with me throughout my ordeal. We participated in the HM Partners Blue Ribbon 10K, a run for prostate cancer awareness. Our firm was one of the sponsors.

Every year starting in 1996 I was tested. And every year I came out of there just fine. But things changed in December of 2009 when my PSA levels, found through a simple blood test, were up higher than normal. I was sent to a urologist for a biopsy, a fantastic local surgeon, Dr. Dan Ricchiuti.

The biopsy came back positive and Dr. Ricchiuti was concerned that at my age – then 46 – that it could spread rapidly. Not wanting to mess around I took the doctor's advice and started an aggressive course of treatment, beginning with hormone therapy to slow down the development of testosterone, which feeds prostate cancer.

Surgery was the next step, which I scheduled a few months out so I could attend my daughter's international Irish step dancing competition in Scotland in April 2010.

Many friends and colleagues encouraged me to travel to Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Johns Hopkins, Duke or some other prominent cancer hospital for my surgery, but I was confident in Dr. Ricchiuti and his partners, plus I wanted to be near my four children, so I stayed local and received world-class treatment right here at home.

Dr. Ricchiuti used a cutting-edge da Vinci-assisted surgical procedure to remove my prostate. Doing it arthroscopically shortened the recovery time and enabled such fine precision that I ended up avoiding the surgery's two most common side effects, incontinence and impotence.

I went back to working on a part-time basis just two weeks later, and was back in the office full-time in a month.

Subsequent tests every three months since the procedure have all been negative for cancer. I'm one of the lucky ones. I'm a walking testament to the benefits of early detection. Early detection is the key to the whole treatment.

One of my older brothers is another success story. He was diagnosed a year earlier than me and also had positive results through surgical treatment. Who knows, though, how either of our cases would have turned out if we weren't diligent about being tested regularly.

Fast-forward to November 2011 and I've become an advocate for early detection. When you see me around town this month looking a little different, it's because I'm participating in a global initiative called “Movember.”

Movember involves men growing moustaches or other facial hair to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research. This year many of my colleagues at Harrington, Hoppe & Mitchell have joined the cause. I'm grateful for their support and for the generous donations we've been receiving. We'll be sending every dollar collected throughout the month to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

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Patrick K. Wilson is an attorney in Warren, Ohio.  To learn more about our Movember initiative, visit our Movember page.