An incarcerated man diagnosed with bladder cancer has faced hurdles regarding treatment and follow-up care.

Tyrell Smith, a resident of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, was first diagnosed with bladder cancer in June 2019 at Folsom State Prison.

Smith said that he has been living with his cancer for 72 months. He led his own campaign advocating for follow-up treatment for about four years. After filing a Grievance (CDCR 602), Smith started receiving the care he’d been requesting for years.

“I was extremely concerned whether or not I was going to die,” Smith said. “In the beginning, I was not satisfied. I experienced extreme bias and incompetence from some medical staff.”

Smith shared that he compiled an enormous amount of legal documents and complaints to file for the medical care that he needed, while continuously suffering in pain. He has been seeing improvements since receiving follow-up care.

Smith noted that NFL quarterback and four-time Super Bowl champion Terry Bradshaw was treated for bladder cancer, and was cured in nine months.

“This is an inspiration to me,” Smith shared.

He previously reflected back to his diagnosis, and came to the realization that he would not be living 72 months later if not for his decisive actions.

“I must say, cancer does not discriminate and must be fought by any means necessary,” Smith said. “While incarcerated it is important to advocate for myself.”

The Merck Medical Manual states that when tumors grow and divide slowly, the risk of death is less than 5%. When tumors grow and divide rapidly, however, the death rate rises to 15-20%. If a tumor enters the lining of muscle layer of the bladder, the risk of death grows to 20-35%. If it spreads deep into the bladder muscle, the death rate increases to 24-60%.

Smith said that incarcerated people diagnosed with cancer must be their own advocate, and that it is critical for them to get humane health care in a timely manner.