The Prostate Monologues

September 23, 2013
In a departure from his usual material, sportswriter McCallum (The Dream Team) touches on a personal experience as he talks about prostate cancer. Though the core narrative revolves around his discovery, treatment, and recovery, he tackles the subject in great detail, bringing his everyman attitude and a researcher's eye towards translating an oft-confusing and frightening topic for the general audience. Thus, he addresses the medical controversy surrounding prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, a test which helps detect the possibility of cancer but which has also divided the professional community. He also looks at the three major methods of treatment: radiation, active surveillance, and surgery (both the traditional open procedure, and the newly-developed robotic procedure). He conducts numerous interviews with medical professionals, experts, and fellow survivors including former senator Bob Dole and golfer Arnold Palmer, a PSA advocate. McCallum offers no one true way with regards to PSA testing, treatment, or what the future might bring; his book serves more as a resource for those interested in, or worried by, prostate cancer. At the very least, it's an accessible starting point. Agent: Scott Waxman, Waxman Literary Agency.