David Swanson’s Story
“I received exemplary care!”
While some men only think about their health care when a problem arises, David adhered to his health screening schedule very carefully. For many years, his employer provided multiphasic screenings for its employees, and when they discontinued offering them, he had the screenings on his own.
In 2021, when he had the multiphasic screening, his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) came back high. The PSA test measures the protein produced by the prostate gland and a high amount could be an indication of prostate cancer. When he received the results, his primary care provider referred him to John Banerji, MD, a urologist at Penn Highlands Urology. Dr. Banerji has a reputation for providing cutting edge treatment options for disorders of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive system.
“Dr. Banerji saw me almost immediately and performed a biopsy,” said Mr. Swanson. “I’ll never forget when he told me that it was cancer, he said ‘for you, your age, your shape, it’s just a bump in the road.’”
David was the first prostate cancer patient to have Dr. Banerji perform his surgery with assistance from the da Vinci Xi robot at Penn Highlands DuBois. The da Vinci robot is known for its versatility. It allows surgeons to operate with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control.
“It speaks volumes about his confidence in our health system to be the first person having prostate surgery with the da Vinci robot at our hospital,” said Dr. Banerji.
According to David, the care he received from Dr. Banerji and Penn Highlands Healthcare has played a crucial role in his quick recovery.
“The care has put me physically and mentally at a higher level,” he said. “My recovery was short. I do more exercise than I did prior to my surgery. I see what that extra attention did for my recovery. They took the extra steps so that I could have a very successful procedure.”
Dr. Banerji joined the staff of Penn Highlands DuBois in 2019. Upon his arrival he said that he was amazed to see such a large and progressive hospital in such a small community. “I listen very closely because I know that people who come to me for care are apprehensive and anxious about their treatment,” he explained. “I treat all of my patients as I would treat a family member.”
From kidney stones and urinary incontinence to prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction, at Penn Highlands Healthcare, our board-certified urologists deliver expert, private and compassionate urologic care to patients throughout Northwestern, Central and Southwestern Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit www.phhealthcare.org/urology.
