Twin brothers, one journey: Facing prostate cancer together

When twin brothers Juan and Gil Diaz were diagnosed with prostate cancer just months apart, they made a decision that would bring them closer than ever: to undergo surgery on the same day, side by side. Their story is one of courage, connection and the life-saving power of early detection.

Juan, the younger sibling by nine minutes, received his diagnosis in December 2024 after a routine lab test revealed elevated PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels, a common screening marker for prostate cancer. Just three months later, in March, he underwent open-heart surgery.

“I was scared,” Juan admitted. “I thought, ‘I’m going to die.’ But I made it through my heart surgery, and I told myself, if I did my heart, I can do my prostate.”

His diagnosis prompted Gil, who lives in Puerto Rico, to get tested as well. “When he told me, I knew I also had to check,” Gil said. “And sure enough, I had it too.” Despite the distance, the brothers reunited in Florida to face their surgeries together.

“It brought us closer,” Juan said. “It was like a family reunion, but this time, we were starting a new chapter together.” Gil added, “We were born together, and now we’re healing together.”

The decision to have surgery at AdventHealth Celebration was guided by Gil’s son, a physician, who researched treatment options and concluded that Celebration was the best place for his father and uncle to receive care. “My son read about the surgeon and said, ‘This is the doctor who’s going to save your life,’” Gil shared. “That’s why I came here.”

That surgeon was Dr. Vipul Patel, a globally recognized leader in robotic prostate surgery who has performed close to 20,000 prostatectomies and recently led a groundbreaking telesurgery in Angola, expanding access to advanced care across continents.

“Even though they’re twins, every prostate is different,” Dr. Patel explained. “Every anatomy is slightly different, and often the cancers are different too. So we approach each case individually.”

“It’s always unique where two guys are really bonded together and go through the journey together,” Patel added. “I think that’s the advantage of having a twin and having the surgery the same day. You really do have a partner, and they can move forward together.”

The brothers were staggered in pre-op to avoid confusion. “They didn’t want to mix up the charts,” Juan joked. But they reunited in recovery. “I was doing my post-op walk when I saw him coming in on the bed,” Gil said. “I hugged him. I knew he was okay.”

Their military background—both served in the Army National Guard—also shaped their mindset. “The military makes a man,” Juan said. “We’ve been through tough missions before. This was just another one.” Gil, a retired radiotherapy technologist, added, “This was a mission we had to complete. And we did.”

The brothers now look forward to caring for their 90-year-old father together. “We’re both alive, and that means we can be there for him,” Juan said. “That gives us purpose.”

They also hope their story encourages others to get screened. “Don’t wait,” Juan urged. “Get your labs done. Follow up. It could save your life.”

Dr. Patel echoed that message with clear guidance: “All men over 50 should get yearly PSA testing and physical screening of the prostate. If you’re African-American or have a family history, start around age 40. Screening saves lives.”

The Diaz brothers’ experience is more than a story about surgery. They say it’s a testament to the power of family, faith and the strength that comes from walking through life’s hardest moments side by side.

If you or a loved one are due for a screening or want to learn more about cancer care, visit the AdventHealth Cancer Institute website to explore resources, schedule an appointment or connect with a care team.