When GetHealthyHarlem.org interviewed Dr. Carlton McGregor, MD, about how we can become better patients, we learned about taking the time to develop a relationship with our doctors. Dr. McGregor followed his own advice when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in fall 2024. Read more about his experiences as a patient in the article below!

Q: What is it like for you--as a doctor--to become a patient?

A: It was interesting because I had to be cared for by a medical doctor. I couldn't operate on myself so I wanted to find the best people possible to do my surgery. Also, I wanted to have a relationship with my doctors so that I would feel comfortable with them. I was okay with becoming the patient because I still had a lot of decision-making ability. My doctors always asked me what I wanted to do. And, I had a good idea of what I wanted to do-surgery. I wanted my prostate. Making the treatment decision was easy because I am trained as a doctor. It was harder for me to choose who was going to perform the surgery.

I think it's more difficult when a patient is in this problem and asks the doctor what he should do. With so many treatment options and different side effects, like sexual problems, it's hard to know which one to pick. What I would do may not be a good decision for someone else. I think deciding what to do is very difficult for patients when they are faced with prostate cancer.

Q: Were you treated differently by your doctors because you are a physician?

A: Usually, I didn't tell people I'm a doctor when I came into the hospital. I wanted to see how an average patient got treated. I don't think getting better treatment because you are a doctor is the best. If a doctor is doing a good job, it shouldn't make a difference if his or her patient is a doctor as well. They should treat all patients the same. I think the only advantage of being a doctor throughout this situation was that I could make an informed decision that I felt comfortable with.

Q: Did having surgery change the way you work with your own patients?

A: Yes, I think it gave me greater empathy and understanding for my patients. I never had surgery before having prostate cancer. Now, I know what it is like to have surgery and I can relate to my own patients who need it. Also, I think having prostate cancer made me closer to some of my patients because they are talking to somebody who has experienced what they may have to go through in the future. Because of all this, I think it has made me a better doctor.

Q: Have you changed the way you teach students or residents in training to become doctors?

A: Yes, I focus more on prevention, early detection, and continuing healthy behaviors when teaching about different diseases. Students have to be aware to make sure they are checking the appropriate risk groups and making sure that these groups understand what disease they are at risk for. For example, if a woman's family has a history of breast cancer, her doctor has to make sure she gets mammograms. I try to tell students that they have to stress to their patients that prevention is the best option to avoid a disease.

To read more about prostate cancer, Dr. McGregor recommends visiting the Mayo Clinic Prostate Cancer website.

Profiles of Hope is a series of testimonials with community leaders and members, written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.