Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. Like many prostate cancer patients, McLaughlin was first alerted to a concern over a high PSA level in routine blood work. Following another test a few weeks later and a biopsy, his doctor confirmed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

He decided to go public with his diagnosis last week because he knew it would eventually be leaked to the press, but he hopes he can encourage other men to engage in cancer screenings. “That’s the overriding reason is to get people to pay more attention if they’re not taking care of their health,” he said. “I always picture myself as invincible, but none of us are. So maybe just a way to remind people, go get checked.”

McLaughlin is working with his care team to finalize a treatment plan, but he vows to keep working.

Read more of McLaughlin's story here.