DavidCare: Prostate Cancer Survival & Support

Published on September 22, 2021

Last updated 12:22 PM September 22, 2021

There’s no question that David Moffett is a tough guy.

Having served as a Marine and law enforcement officer, he’s been a pillar of strength, both for his family and within the greater community. But after conquering prostate cancer with the help of Wellstar, David has found a new calling: supporting other men going through the same difficult diagnosis.

Since his recovery, David’s been on a mission to break barriers in men’s health. He has started a prostate cancer support group to teach a new meaning of “strength” and help men feel empowered to take charge of their health.

“Being a husband, father and grandfather, people have always looked to me as a leader. I am used to being the protector and being strong,” David said.

“Through my experience with prostate cancer, I’ve learned a man’s greatest strength is vulnerability. You don’t have to be Superman — being yourself and becoming your best advocate are enough,” he said.

With expert care and support from Wellstar, David redefined his role as a protector and learned to prioritize his own well-being too. Now, he’s spreading the message for other men to do the same.

Early detection is key

Unlike a lot of men, David never misses his annual wellness exam. Working as an Operations Coordinator at Wellstar, he knows the important role preventative care plays in overall wellness.

During his routine check-up with Wellstar Family Medicine Physician Dr. Thomas Gearhard in 2019, David’s prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was taken.

With just a simple blood draw, a PSA test can reveal the presence of prostate cancer or other health conditions, such as an enlarged prostate. When David’s test results revealed an elevated PSA level, Dr. Gearhard referred him to a urologist right away.

There, a nodule was discovered in David’s prostate. Following a biopsy, he was diagnosed with Stage II prostate cancer.

“Finding out that I had prostate cancer was devastating,” he said.

But David didn’t have to go through the battle alone. It wasn’t long before he found a trusted health partner in Wellstar Urologist Dr. Paymon Nourparvar. The pair formed a lasting bond as they both worked together to fight prostate cancer.

“Dr. Nourparvar was a blessing. He became like family to me,” David shared. “There was no question he wouldn’t answer, and no question we couldn’t ask. He made me feel like I could open up and talk about the journey I was on.”

Having an open dialogue with patients is a key part of Dr. Nourparvar’s care philosophy. Because he knows not one person is exactly alike, he always takes a personalized approach with every patient.

“There are a wide variety of treatments for people with prostate cancer, and there’s not a one-size-fits-all approach to it,” Dr. Nourparvar explained. “I treat all my patients how I would like my family to be treated. I tailor all of my recommendations and treatments through that lens.”

Based on David’s age, physical health and lifestyle, Dr. Nourparvar felt surgery was the right path forward to treat prostate cancer. However, Dr. Nourparvar wanted to arm him with a breadth of knowledge to make the right choice for his body.

That’s why Dr. Nourparvar encouraged him to get a second opinion with a radiation oncologist — so David could know all the facts before committing to a care plan.

After hearing both treatment plans, David felt empowered to make an informed decision to treat the prostate cancer.

“Dr. Nourparvar was very transparent and made sure he had all the information to choose the right treatment path for me,” David shared. “Then, when my wife and I made the decision that surgery was our best option, I felt like I could make the right choice for my situation.”

It’s time [for men] to have real conversations. Go to the doctor, get your physical and be open about your family history. It’s important.

- David Moffett

Wellstar Prostate Cancer Survivor

Listen to David's Story

Support from all sides

Moving from preventative care to diagnosis to treatment was simple and seamless. When patients like David need specialized care, Wellstar ensures patients have access to cutting-edge treatments and expert physicians within the same network.

“Wellstar Health System allows a patient to be screened for prostate cancer from a young age by their primary care physician,” Dr. Nourparvar said. “Then, if there are any concerns in the screening, they can be seen by a urologist fairly quickly, and go on to get a diagnosis and treatment all within the system.”

David received a robotic prostatectomy, a high-tech treatment where the prostate is removed robotically by a surgeon. Because only a few small incisions are made with this surgical approach, the state-of-the-art procedure helps reduce scarring and pain, has the potential to preserve nerves as well as speeding up recovery time.

In fact, nearly all patients who receive a robotic prostatectomy are able to go home in less than 24 hours. Before being discharged, Dr. Nourparvar and his whole care team made sure David was on the road to recovery and still checked in often.

“After surgery, Dr. Nourparvar was the first person to stop and see me. It meant a lot to me,” David said, recalling the special moment. “The relationship I have formed with Dr. Nourparvar and the clinical team is very important to me.”

Fighting prostate cancer is a team effort, and no one knows that better than David’s wife, Marjane´. Along with the medical team’s support, Marjane´ was there by his side through it all.

“She is my backbone and has helped me through everything,” David said. “It’s not just the men going through this journey. It’s their spouses, their children, their support system — it’s a team effort.”

As a part of Wellstar’s Surgical Services team, Marjane´ is well versed in providing PeopleCare to patients every day. She was proud David could receive the same level of world-class level of care when he needed it most.

“As a team member in the health system, I’ve seen firsthand how care is provided at Wellstar,” Marjane´ said. “I believe Wellstar offers world-class healthcare to everyone we serve, whether it’s a team member or the patients we see on a daily basis.”

She supported her husband through treatment and recovery, never losing hope that everything would be okay in the end. The strong faith David and Marjane´ share even led them to turn their health experience into a way to support others.

Hope for other men

David’s personal journey with prostate cancer marked the start of a new one: helping other men fight back against prostate cancer.

“After my recovery, I felt like I had to do something to help others,” he said.

Since defeating prostate cancer, he has started a support group to encourage men with the same diagnosis. He strives to be the voice that men of all ages need to hear.

While David was growing up, several male figures in his life dealt with prostate cancer — but he only found out about their diagnoses after his own.

“My family members felt like they couldn’t talk about their prostate cancer experiences, so I never knew I had a history in my chart,” David said. “Now, I’m making sure to have those conversations with my son, grandson, nephews and loved ones.”

But David’s not only breaking the silence about prostate cancer with his family. He’s started a support group that helps men face prostate cancer with confidence.

“As men, we often internalize things and feel like we can’t talk about our issues, including health concerns. The more we open up and talk about our real issues, the more it helps the next person,” he explained.

At his prostate cancer support group held monthly at the Wellstar Development Center, David tackles difficult subjects about the disease, including how it may affect intimacy and personal relationships, so there is less stigma.

“I am having an open dialogue about the issues affecting men, so other people know they’re not alone. I want to be an advocate not just for myself, but for others as well,” David said.

For one group meeting, he even set up a date night event — complete with candles and soft music — to encourage couples to share their experiences in a safe, comfortable setting.

His efforts have had a major impact on men in the community who are dealing with the challenges of prostate cancer. The regular meetings and supportive atmosphere have allowed other people to open up and start conversations about the disease.

However, David still believes the most important discussions men should have are with their medical providers.

“Men always talk about sports and their stories from the past, but it’s time to have real conversations,” David said. “Go to the doctor, get your physical and be open about your family history. It’s important.”

Marjane´ echoed the same sentiment. “If you don’t go, you don’t know. Cancer and other diseases can be caught early. It’s up to you to schedule an appointment with your physician to get checked.”

As a prostate cancer survivor, David’s work has inspired dozens of men to get real about their health. But he’ll never forget the support he got from Wellstar along the way.

“I’m cancer-free, and I’m blessed.”

For more information about David's prostate cancer support group, email [email protected].

Identifying lung cancer early

If you are at increased risk for developing lung cancer, talk to your care team about screenings. With a low-dose CT scan of the chest, it only takes a few seconds to check in on your lung health. These screenings are offered at several Wellstar imaging centers.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has revised lung screening guidelines. Patients may qualify for screening if they are 50 to 80 years old and smoked for 20 years. If they are a former smoker, they may qualify if they quit less than 15 years ago.

“Finding lung cancer early leads to better outcomes, and screening with CT scans is recommended as the only proven way to minimize delay in diagnosis,” said Wellstar Thoracic Surgeon Dr. Daniel Fortes.

Because finding cancer and starting treatment sooner can be life-saving, Wellstar has invested in one of the nation's largest lung screening programs and an incidental nodule program. When people come into a hospital seeking care for something else—whether that be a health condition like appendicitis or a traumatic event like a motorcycle accident—they might get a scan of the abdomen or chest that also shows portions of the lungs.

Using artificial intelligence, reports of those scans are fed to report coordinators, categorized based on their risk level and if a patient is higher-risk, forwarded to nurse navigators for review. Nurse navigators consult with physicians about the findings, and Wellstar can then initiate care if cancer is suspected.

The program, which started in fall 2020, has identified a total of 203 lung cancers and 22 other types of cancer, as of November 2025.

Expert care and support at every step

From the very beginning, people with lung cancer at Wellstar are surrounded by a team of experts. Rather than go through the time-consuming process of driving to multiple appointments with different specialists, patients meet with all these physicians in one place.

The Wellstar Lung Cancer STAT Clinic—at Wellstar Cobb, Wellstar Douglas, Wellstar Kennestone, Wellstar North Fulton, Wellstar Paulding and Wellstar West Georgia Medical Centers, as well as Wellstar Cherokee Health Park and the Thoracic NOW Clinic at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center—give patients immediate access to specialists in medical oncology, radiation oncology, pulmonary medicine and thoracic surgery.

"We plan patients’ appointments ahead of time, ordering multiple tests that will be necessary for the treatment decision-making. These can include PET scans, CT scans, MRIs and/or a pulmonary function test," Dr. Fortes said. "We’re always gaining time in the patient’s overall treatment because we are anticipating and creating a plan as a team."

Getting multiple expert opinions from the start not only gives patients peace of mind, it speeds up treatment, too. In the United States, the average time between an abnormal scan and the beginning of treatment is 60 to 90 days. The STAT Clinic reduces that time to as little as 14 days. Time-to-treatment affects long-term survival in patients with lung cancer.

"We have data to show that if we delay treatment, even in early-stage cancers, we decrease the chance of a cure," Dr. Fortes said. "The goal of the STAT Clinic is to get them the quickest we can into their final treatment plan."

High-tech surgery options

For many patients, surgery is a crucial part of lung cancer treatment. Wellstar offers several minimally invasive options, reducing recovery time for patients.

More than 90% of lung cancer surgeries at Wellstar are performed using either the Da Vinci Surgical System or Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery techniques (VATS).

Minimally invasive surgeries reduce pain, scarring, blood loss and infection, as well as time to recover—getting patients back to work and other routines quicker.

The Da Vinci system is equipped with 3D cameras and instruments that can make very intricate, precise movements, allowing for shorter incisions and more accurate surgery. Some patients can leave the hospital as early as the next day.

For biopsies, Wellstar has completed 500 procedures using the Ion system, a robotic-assisted platform.

The system uses a three-dimensional spatial recognition technology that helps guide a catheter down the airway, deep into the lung, all the way to small nodules where biopsies can be performed. The robotic catheter maintains its shape and stability throughout the biopsy process, significantly improving diagnostic yield compared to other modalities.

"The better the image and the more certainty we have of the spatial location of the catheter, the better we can avoid complications by making sure we are not too close to a blood vessel or the edge of the lung," said Dr. Fortes.

To reduce your risk of lung cancer and keep your lungs healthy, talk to your primary care team and follow a few tips, such as exercising and avoiding smoking. Learn more about treatments on our lung cancer care page.

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Highlights

Monitoring Your Lung Health with Cancer Screenings

Lung cancer screening can detect cancer earlier—even before symptoms show up. Earlier-stage cancers are more easily treatable. If you are at increased risk of developing lung cancer, you could benefit from regular low-dose CT scans to monitor your lung health.

Our team has built one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive screening programs. Wellstar has been designated as a Screening Center of Excellence and Care Continuum Center of Excellence by the GO2 Foundation, an organization that supports lung cancer patients and educates about screenings and care. We’re also a designated Lung Cancer Screening Center by the American College of Radiology.

Evaluating your lung cancer risk

The United States Preventive Services Task Force has revised lung screening guidelines. You may qualify for screening if you are 50 to 80 years old and smoked for 20 years. If you are a former smoker, you may qualify if you quit less than 15 years ago.

“Those who are current or past smokers of cigarettes are more likely to develop lung cancer,” Dr. Fortes said. “However, while smoking is the leading risk factor for lung cancer, a large number of lung cancer patients have never smoked—1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men diagnosed with lung cancer were never smokers.”

You may also be at increased risk of developing lung cancer if you have been exposed to radon, asbestos or other agents such as uranium or arsenic, according to the American Cancer Society. Previous radiation therapy in the lung area, such as chest radiation for breast cancer treatment, can also increase risk. Additionally, be sure to discuss your family history with your provider—siblings and children of people who have had lung cancer may have a higher risk of developing it.

Screening for lung cancer is not a one-time test, but a process that involves a periodic evaluation of your lungs over time to look for newly emerging cancer. CT scans can detect nodules that are compared over time for changes in size.

“For those who are at high risk for lung cancer, it is best to have nodules and lung health evaluated by a team of physicians specializing in lung cancer care so the appropriate decision can be made of continued observation versus the need for early intervention,” Dr. Fortes said.

Depending on the findings, some patients may have more or fewer exams. If findings are suspicious for lung cancer, your care team will contact you to discuss your screening results.

How do I schedule a screening?

An order from your physician is required to get a screening. Contact your primary care team or a pulmonologist to talk about screening and when it may be right for you. Once an order has been obtained from your physician, call (470) 793-4AIR (4247) to schedule your appointment.

What if my scan shows a lung nodule?

Your care team will support you at every step of the screening process. If you have any questions about your results or your screening plan, contact your provider over the phone or using the secure messaging feature in MyChart. You can also call our cancer care team at (877) 366-6032 to learn about our care options.

All lung screenings are initially interpreted by a radiologist. A team of physicians who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer will review findings that are suspicious for cancer. Once the physicians complete their review of your images, your results are posted within three to five days to your MyChart account. Results will be communicated with you and your physician via MyChart or mail within one week.

If a lung cancer is suspected, our team will call you to answer your questions and arrange next steps. You will then meet with a physician specializing in lung cancer treatment.

Patients whose screening shows a lung nodule may feel concerned. However, you should not be overly concerned if your report indicates you have small lung nodules. Most people who meet eligibility for screening will have some. Nodules are very common—at least 50% of people have them by the time they are 50 years old.

Learn more at wellstar.org/lungcancer.

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Illustration of provider inspecting lung

Highlights

Wellstar Offers Saturday Hours for Lung Cancer Screening Day November 8

Lung cancer screening can detect cancer earlier, before symptoms show up. Earlier-stage cancers are more easily treatable and more frequently cured, so if you are at increased risk of developing lung cancer, you could benefit from regular low-dose CT scans to monitor your lung health. To expand access to these vital screenings, Wellstar will offer screenings at several imaging locations Saturday, November 8.

Wellstar is partnering with the American Cancer Society National Lung Cancer Roundtable, the American College of Radiology, the Radiology Health Equity Coalition, and GO2 for Lung Cancer to celebrate National Lung Cancer Screening Day Saturday, November 8. While lung scans are always available at Wellstar’s conveniently located imaging centers during regular business hours, offering these Saturday hours will help patients fit screenings into their schedules.

Ask your care team about whether you meet the criteria for screening, or call us to learn more about qualifying and to make an appointment for a scan.Call us at (470) 793-4AIR (4247) to learn more and make an appointment for a scan.

The following Wellstar imaging locations will be open Saturday, November 8:

Wellstar Imaging at Wellstar East Cobb Health Park, 3747 Roswell Road, Suite 102 in Marietta
Wellstar Imaging Services, 60 Lacy St. in Marietta
Wellstar Imaging Services, 1220 West Wheeler Parkway in Augusta
Wellstar Imaging Services at Wellstar Cobb Medical Center, 1625 Hospital North Drive in Austell
Wellstar Imaging at Wellstar Douglas Medical Center, 8954 Hospital Drive in Douglasville
Wellstar Imaging at Wellstar Vinings Health Park, 4441 Atlanta Road SE, Suite 101 in Smyrna
Wellstar Imaging at Wellstar Windy Hill, 2540 Windy Hill Rd SE in Marietta
Wellstar West Georgia Medical Imaging, 1514 Vernon Road in LaGrange

In addition to these special hours November 8, low-dose CT lung scans are available at several Wellstar imaging locations.

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