When Ray Murphy went in for his annual physical in July 2024, he expected to receive a clean bill of health. Other than his ulcerative colitis—which was under control—he felt great. He had no problems or worrying symptoms. That’s why he was surprised when his bloodwork revealed possible concerns with his prostate.
“I went in for my regular checkup, and my doctor ran all the routine blood tests for people over 60,” he says. “My results showed that my prostate levels were off. That’s what kick-started me down the path toward prostate cancer surgery.”
After receiving the diagnosis of prostate cancer, Ray consulted with an oncologist, but his ulcerative colitis meant he would need specialized treatment, so he sought out Justin Cox, MD, a urologic surgeon and Chief of Urology with The Christ Hospital Physicians-Urology. Dr. Cox was the first surgeon in Greater Cincinnati utilizing Da Vinci Single Port (SP) robotic prostate surgery, an advanced minimally invasive procedure that treats prostate cancer.
An unexpected diagnosis, a single treatment option
Like most men with prostate cancer, Ray didn’t show any signs of disease. As a result, he was caught off guard when his prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was high. PSA is the protein produced by the prostate gland. Normal levels are between zero and four. Anything higher could point to prostate cancer—Ray’s level was 14.
An MRI and a biopsy confirmed what his primary care provider suspected. Ray, who had no family history of prostate cancer, had several cancerous spots scattered throughout his prostate, and he needed treatment.
Radiation or radical prostatectomy (a procedure that removes the prostate through an incision in the abdomen) are standard prostate cancer treatments. But, because he also has ulcerative colitis, they weren’t options for Ray.
“Patients with ulcerative colitis have what we call hostile abdomens,” Dr. Cox says. “Doing any kind of abdominal surgery or radiation can set their condition off and worsen their pain and bowel function.”
That left Ray with one choice to combat his cancer—single-port robotic surgery.
A minimal surgery with outstanding outcomes
After researching the single-port surgery and talking with his wife, Ray went in for the procedure with Dr. Cox in March 2025. He says he tried to plan his surgery around his sports activities.
“I’m in an over-60 baseball league, and opening day was six weeks after my procedure,” he says. “Dr. Cox reassured me I’d be there. He kept saying, ‘You’ll make that.’ He had a high level of confidence that everything would be fine.”
The procedure itself is straightforward, Dr. Cox says. It requires a 1- to 2-inch incision just below the belly button. That cut gives the surgeon access to the space right in front of the patient’s bladder. Then, using a tiny flexible camera and small robotic instruments, they remove the patient’s prostate gland.
“Using these small devices, we’re able to see around the curves and bends of the prostate,” he says. “Through better precision and less tension, we can preserve the patient’s muscles and nerves.”
In addition to being less invasive, single port surgery offers several benefits. The procedure uses less anesthesia, putting less strain on the patient’s heart and lungs. After surgery, patients experience less pain, so they don’t need as much narcotic or opioid pain-relieving medication. They also have a lower risk of infection and blood loss. Dr. Cox says most patients go home the same day or within 23 hours after surgery.
Like radical prostatectomy, single-port surgery has a minor risk of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. But these side effects typically get better on their own over time.
For Ray, the procedure was a complete success.
“When it comes to cancer surgery, a result that shows no remaining cancer is the most important thing. After the procedure, Ray’s margins were clear—we got all the cancer out,” Dr. Cox says. “Since then, his cancer hasn’t spread, and his PSA level has been undetectable. He remains cancer-free to this day.”
An easy recovery
Ray says he knew the procedure would be less complicated. But he was astonished by how easy his recovery was. During his one night in the hospital, he walked around the halls and talked with nurses. He returned the next week to have his catheter removed. And he was back to his normal routine within two weeks without experiencing any surgery-related side effects.
“My results from surgery were stunning. I always compare it to going in for car repairs,” Ray says. “I thought I was going in for an engine overhaul. It turned out to be more like an oil change. It really was that simple.”
But he knows there’s always a chance his prostate cancer could return. So, he’s committed to getting yearly PSA tests to monitor his condition.
Ray credits Dr. Cox and the collaboration of the prostate cancer care team at The Christ Hospital Health Network for his good outcome. The multidisciplinary team included a nurse navigator who helped coordinate his care, nutritional specialists, and physical therapists. At every step of the journey, they made sure Ray and his wife felt supported.
“We never felt like I was just somebody on a piece of paper who was going to show up for surgery,” he says. “Dr. Cox and his team were always there to answer our questions or check on us. They really were wonderful.”
The importance of screening
Dr. Cox credits the PSA screening test with Ray’s positive results. Early detection is vital, he says, because it gives doctors and surgeons a chance to treat prostate cancer before it grows or spreads.
“Nationwide, one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer,” he says. “Early detection is the key because when we find it early, like we did with Ray, it’s completely curable by radiation or surgery.”
To catch signs of prostate cancer early, Dr. Cox recommends annual PSA screening for all men aged 50 and over. A yearly test is particularly important for individuals with a higher risk of developing the disease. For example, Black men are twice as likely as other men to develop prostate cancer, and their disease is often more aggressive. Additionally, men with a first-degree relative with prostate cancer are up to 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with the condition.
Ray echoes the importance of screening. The blood test detected a significant change in his PSA over one year. It also minimized the impact prostate cancer had on his life.
And, yes, that includes baseball. Ray was on the field for his over-60 league’s opening day.
“I’m back to playing ball,” he says. “I’m doing all the things I did pre-surgery. I have no limitations.”
Concerned about your risk of prostate cancer? Or is it time for your annual PSA screening? Contact your primary care provider.