Hamburger on life as six-time cancer survivor: 'I had to have an advantage over the average patient'

A cancer diagnosis is scary, and Dr. Arthur Hamburger, of Houston, received – and survived – six of them, according to a report from Houston FOX affiliate KRIV.

The retired physician said his brother's own bout with cancer set the course for his career and life's purpose, per the station.

The six cancers Hamburger experienced were testicular, prostate, lymphocytic lymphoma, bladder and pancreatic, as well as a kidney tumor, KRIV reported. Regardless, he faced them all with a positive attitude.

KRIV reported that Hamburger, who practiced mostly at Memorial Hermann, was prompted to look into his own cancer prospects when his brother received a diagnosis for prostate cancer.

At the time, Hamburger was a 26-year-old who just got married and became a father to a daughter. 

"At that time, all I could say is, 'I just hope I can make it for another 15 years just to see my daughter grow up,'" he told the station.

The health scare inspired him to change career paths, according to KRIV.

Originally on track to becoming a pulmonologist, Hamburger decided to follow through on his interest in radiation therapy.

"I did a fellowship at MD Anderson for three years and stayed on their staff for 10 years, then in 1982, I opened up a new department at Memorial City Hospital," he recalled to the station. "It was the first radiation therapy department with this type of equipment outside the 610 Loop."

Four years ago, Hamburger dealt with cancer again after "just the slightest pink tinge" was discovered in his urine, KRIV reported.

"The results showed a four centimeter tumor on the right side of my bladder, and that was the side of my pelvis that had the radiation therapy back in 1971," the physician recalled.

Doctors subsequently removed parts of his pancreas and spleen, as well as closely monitored a mass on one of his kidneys.

According to the station, Hamburger was fortunate enough to catch each of the cancers in their earliest stages. 

"As a physician, I knew what to expect," he told KRIV. "I had to have an advantage over the average patient. I was able to preempt and stay ahead of the side effects instead of catching up with them."

What's his secret toward survivorship?

"By staying fit and by trying to watch my diet, that may help," Hamburger told the station.

He additionally acknowledged that his genetics play a role, encouraging anyone with a history of cancer in their own families to go get checked.