How a screening helped save a Denver mechanic’s life
A life-saving screening
As someone who admittedly used to avoid the doctor’s office, Brian Schroeder has become a self-proclaimed evangelist for wellness programs, encouraging his colleagues and friends to go to the doctor regularly.
Brian understands their hesitation. In 2017, he stood in many of their shoes, doubting the need for regular check-ups offered through his employer’s innovative wellness program.
His employer at the time, the City and County of Denver, designed a program to improve the health and well-being of employees, with the help of UnitedHealthcare.
Members could enroll and earn points for specific activities such as an annual health assessment, annual wellness visit, screenings and preventive care opportunities like tobacco cessation or weight loss programs. Employees were also given the chance to attend community events, fitness activities and educational classes.
“We had a person at the time there that was in charge of that, and she bugged me for years to get into it,” Brian said.
When he was promoted to a supervisor role, Brian’s colleague again encouraged him to take advantage of the wellness checks offered by his employer as he prepared to lead a team, and he finally agreed. He underwent blood work as part of his wellness check with a physician, and as he was starting his shift one afternoon, a phone call changed the course of his life.
“Parked my vehicle, was sitting there, the phone rang, and it was the doctor. And he said, ‘Well, Brian, I have some very, very bad news for you.’ He said, ‘From what the biopsy results are, you have anywhere from four months to a year to live if we don't do anything,’” Brian said.
Brian had no symptoms but was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be nearly 334,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States for 2026. 1
After many surgeries, Brian is happy to report he’s cancer-free. Surgical complications forced Brian to retire earlier than expected, but he remains optimistic, in part because he now has a new mission to carry him forward.
“You know, I'm thankful every day that I'm still alive,” he said. “So, how can you not be happy? I will continue as long as I'm here telling them all, ‘Go get checked. Just do it.’
“With men, get over the stigma. You got a couple of minutes of discomfort for the rest of your life. It's a heck of a tradeoff.”
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