Ben Stiller together with his surgeon Dr. Edward Schaeffer opened up on Tuesday how he fought his battle on prostate cancer in an interview on "Today Show." This is the first time he shared his battle to the public since he revealed last month that he was diagnosed with the disease in June 2014.

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Ben Stiller told TODAY's Matt Lauer he's "really fortunate" to call himself "cancer free."

The actor underwent a new prostate-specific antigent (PSA) test and decided to have an operation wherein his prostate was removed after educating himself about what are the options that he could have to be treated. 

Stiller has neither symptoms nor a family history of prostate cancer at that time his cancer was detected by a PSA test, which he annually take since he was 46.

PSA test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland, in a man's blood.

According to the National Cancer Institute, the blood level of PSA is often higher in men with prostate cancer, and the test was approved by the FDA in 1986 and by 1994, the FDA approved the use of the PSA test in conjunction with a digital rectal exam (DRE) to test asymptomatic men for prostate cancer.

What makes PSA Test Controversial?

A number of benign conditions can cause a man's PSA level to rise, which is one reason the test is considered controversial.

Another reason is because PSA screening test may lead to an over-diagnosis, according to the influential U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, although many doctors and organizations recommend yearly PSA screenings for men.

The Importance of Understanding the Treatment Options

According to American Cancer Society, other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men, and one man out of 7 will be diagnosed in his lifetime, while about one in 39 men will die of it. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death, second to lung cancer among men.

In view of these facts, Schaeffer told Lauer during the interview the importance of understanding the treatment options for those men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer and what makes the best sense for the person.

 Shaefffer explains the side effects normally associated with the treatment such as having difficultly with urination and with their sexual function after treatment.  These side effects are not just isolated to surgery.

"Today, what we do is really try to do a better job recommending active treatment for men versus just watching their cancers," Schaeffer said.

Stiller gave a double thumbs up sign when asked by Lauer about the side effects, specifically incontinence and impotence, he said he's "all good."

"It's a real thing, but when you're confronted with the question of, 'Hey, do you want to live or do you want to make sure your sex life is the best it can be?' I opted for wanting to get rid of the cancer and see what happens, and luckily everything is cool," Stiller said.

Prostate cancer was not on the actor's radar at all before he started taking the PSA tests, which Stiller attribute to saving his life.

Schaeffer and Stiller are hoping to raise awareness about detection and treatment and encourage men to get tested.

TagsBen Stiller, prostate cancer, Cancer, controversial, PSA Test