Maryland brothers battling prostate cancer urge men to get tested

GLENARDEN, Md. — Two brothers from Glenarden, Maryland who were born 10 years apart are now closer than ever, as they face dualing health scares. 

Army Veteran and father of three Spencer Peace thought he’d seen it all. Until January, when he sensed something was wrong in his body. 

“When I went to the bathroom, it was like I was having to force it out like a blockage," Peace said. 

After several tests, doctors told him he was diagnosed with stage 2 prostate cancer. In October, he had his prostate removed, feeling it was the best option for him and his family.

“I have a 2-year-old son," Peace said. "I don’t want nobody raising my son." 

Not long after, Peace's younger brother, Jamar Oliver, was also tested. Doctors told him he also had stage 1 prostate cancer. 

“We want to be here for one another," Oliver said. "It’s not something I take lightly and I want to pass on as much information to guys I know.” 

Peace and Oliver have gone through many ups and downs together. Now, they’re facing their toughest battle yet. But they have their mother, a breast cancer survivor herself, by their side.

“I always feel like anything that is thrown at the both of us, we can handle together and we always come out on top,” Oliver said. 

Peace and Oliver are now encouraging men to get tested, even if there are no symptoms. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, most men are diagnosed before showing symptoms. 

“If you love someone, go get tested," Peace said. "Save yourself some time, save your family some heartache." 

The brothers are working with local hospitals to put a testing event together. Their goal is to get at least 1,000 men tested across the DMV. 

About 85% of prostate cancers are detected during early screening tests, before the patient develops any symptoms. A blood test may show abnormally high or rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, or a physician may detect abnormalities during a routine rectal exam. The severity of symptoms will depend on where the cancer is located in the prostate and how advanced it has become.