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Spoiler alert for the June 26, 2025 episode of “And Just Like That”
And just like that … Harry Goldenblatt has prostate cancer.
Charlotte’s beloved bald husband broke the news on Thursday’s episode of the “Sex and the City” spinoff, revealing he’s joined the ranks of the 1 in 8 American men diagnosed with the disease.
Lucky for Charlotte (and fans), Harry quickly reassured that “everything is gonna be fine” because it was caught early. These are the signs of prostate cancer to watch for, so you can say the same.
What is prostate cancer?
The disease strikes when cells start growing and dividing uncontrollably in the prostate, a small, walnut-shaped gland below the bladder and in front of the rectum in men, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Though tiny, the prostate plays a big role in the male reproductive system. It produces some of the fluid in semen, which nourishes and protects sperm while helping propel it through the urethra during ejaculation.
The organ also helps control the bladder by regulating urine flow.
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men after skin cancer.
It is rare in men under 40, but the risk rises sharply after age 50. About 6 of 10 cases are diagnosed in men over 65, according to the American Cancer Society.
Black men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. They are about 1.8 times more likely to be diagnosed and 2.4 times more likely to die from the disease compared to white men.
Other risk factors include a family history of prostate cancer and certain gene mutations. Studies suggest that diet, obesity, smoking, sexually transmitted infections and chemical exposures may also play a role in the disease’s development.
Where did ‘And Just Like That’ go wrong?
Harry tells Charlotte on the June 26 episode that some strange symptoms prompted him to see a doctor.
“Do you remember when I wet myself at the club? And then, you know, there was the trouble in the bedroom,” he said, referencing moments viewers saw earlier this season.
“I decided to check it out just in case, and what do you know? I’ve got prostate cancer,” he added.
But that’s not how things usually unfold in real life. In its early stages, the disease typically has no signs.
“It would take a tumor that’s pretty far along to get to the point where it would cause those symptoms,” Dr. Mark Pomerantz, clinical director of the Lank Center for Genitourinary Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, told Time mag.
Those kinds of issues, he added, are more commonly side effects of prostate cancer treatment than signs that lead to a diagnosis.
In reality, most prostate cancers are detected through routine screening, typically with a simple blood test. Experts recommend men begin testing around age 50, or at 40 for black men and those with a family history of the disease.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Most prostate cancers don’t cause symptoms in their early stages. However, according to Penn State Health, some men may experience:
- Trouble starting to urinate
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Pain or burning during urination
- Blood in the urine or semen
If the cancer spreads beyond the prostate, additional symptoms can develop. According to the Mayo Clinic, signs of advanced prostate cancer may include:
- Involuntary urine leakage
- Back or bone pain
- Weakness in the arms or legs
- Erectile dysfunction
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
What are the chances of surviving prostate cancer?
Fortunately for Harry, prostate cancer has a high survival rate when caught early.
Between 80% and 85% of prostate cancers are diagnosed at the local or regional stage, meaning the cancer is either confined to the prostate or has spread only to nearby areas, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
For these men, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100%.
If the cancer spreads to distant parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, bones or other organs, that rate plummets to just 28%.
Experts say this stark difference underscores the importance of routine screenings.
“In the time it takes to check your phone, your provider can perform a screening that could make a significant difference to your future health,” Dr. David Shusterman, a urologist and founder of Modern Urologist, previously told The Post.
In fact, a recent study found that men who regularly skip prostate cancer screenings are 45% more likely to die from the disease.
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 314,000 new cases will be diagnosed in the US in 2025, with roughly 35,800 men expected to lose their lives to the disease.
English (US)