By Vernell Burris, Jr., Editor-In-Chief, Georgia Business & Lifestyle Magazine
I never imagined I’d be writing this. Not as an editor. Not as a patient. And certainly not as someone who once viewed Big Pharma with more skepticism than trust. But life has a way of turning even the most grounded perspectives upside down.
In November 2024, at the age of 65, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. At the time, my medical team recommended what seemed like a logical next step: surgery to remove my prostate. I consented. The plan was in place. But before going under the knife, my doctor ordered a PET scan—a Positron Emission Tomography scan—to check for any potential spread. That scan changed everything.
It revealed the cancer had already metastasized in two other areas of my body. Just like that, in January 2025, my cancer was upgraded to Stage 4. The treatment plan shifted overnight. The urgency became palpable. And so did the need for hope.
A New Road, Paved by Innovation
What followed was a fast-moving, emotionally charged journey through hormone therapy, targeted radiation, and genomic testing. That last step—advanced genetic testing—was especially pivotal. It uncovered something most people don’t even know to ask about: I carried an ATM gene mutation.
This mutation, more commonly associated with breast and ovarian cancers, also plays a role in aggressive forms of prostate cancer. That explained the speed and severity of my disease. But it also opened a door—one that may not have existed even a decade ago.
My medical team used that genetic information to craft a personalized treatment plan. At the center of that plan were two targeted therapies: the PARP inhibitor TALZENNA® (talazoparib) and XTANDI® (enzalutamide). These aren’t just pills—they are the product of decades of scientific research, technological advancement, and yes, Big Pharma investment.
These drugs are not miracles. But in late-stage cancer, they offer something equally profound: a fighting chance.
Big Pharma: The Complicated Lifeline
Let me be clear: this isn’t an industry love letter. I’m fully aware of the pharmaceutical world’s complexities—the soaring costs, the access disparities, the pricing models that keep life-saving drugs out of reach for too many.
But I’m also aware that I’m still here because of what those companies have created.
Behind every capsule I take is an untold number of scientists, researchers, and trial participants. There’s an entire ecosystem of innovation and risk-taking that makes these therapies possible. And while the system is flawed, the science is real—and in my case, lifesaving.
I can hold both truths. I can challenge Big Pharma to be more ethical and more accessible, while also acknowledging that their breakthroughs are keeping me alive.
More Than a Statistic
I’m not just a case study. I’m Vernell Burris, Jr. I’m a father, a partner, a man who’s spent his life elevating voices in the pages of Georgia Business & Lifestyle Magazine. I never thought I’d use this platform to talk about my own medical journey—but here I am, doing just that, because someone out there needs to read this.
Someone needs to hear that a late-stage diagnosis is not an automatic end. That genetic testing matters. That there are treatment options today that didn’t exist ten years ago. And yes, that the very industry we often criticize may one day be the reason you’re still breathing, still dreaming, still fighting.
Looking Forward, With Purpose
I’m not done. Not with this life. Not with my mission.
I’ll continue to use my voice to advocate—for equity, for early detection, for access to the very treatments that are helping me now. I’ll continue to write, to lead, and to speak up—especially to men in my community who too often suffer in silence.
Cancer doesn’t care about status or skin color. But early screening, genetic awareness, and cutting-edge treatment can make all the difference. I’m living proof.
So let’s keep pushing for a better system. Let’s demand accountability. But let’s also celebrate the science when it works—and give credit where it’s due.
Because yes, Big Pharma is saving my life.
For more health stories and insights, visit the Health & Fitness section of Georgia Business & Lifestyle.
Author’s Note:
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer—or if it runs in your family—ask your doctor about genomic testing. Don’t wait. It helped shape my treatment and may open doors you didn’t know existed.
