I was diagnosed with prostate cancer this year at age 35. I thought it was supposed to be an older man's cancer. That's all I knew of this disease -- and that's part of the problem.
This year in America, over 32,000 fathers, husbands, brothers, sons and friends of all ages will lose their battle with prostate cancer. And the National Cancer Institute says 217,230 new cases will be diagnosed.
Prostate cancer is real, and all men -- of all ages and ethnic groups -- need to know about it.
I knew almost nothing upon hearing the words "You have cancer," then went through disbelief, sadness, depression and many questions. After all, I hadn't had any symptoms, and it was only during a checkup when a box was accidentally checked for a PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test that I learned of the abnormality.
I knew nothing about the function of the prostate, much less prostate cancer. I didn't know whether it could kill me -- it can -- how to treat it -- we can, in many ways -- and what it meant. Surprisingly -- or perhaps not surprisingly -- few of my friends in their mid-20s to mid-40s knew much about prostate cancer either.
Men under 50 aren't urged to have annual prostate exams, and there's debate on how old they should be before such cancer screenings. I often hear 40 for African Americans and 50 for all others.
The National Cancer Institute defines prostate cancer as a "cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum)." Many older men get this cancer, but it's slow-moving for them and they often die from other causes before prostate cancer takes them.
In my case, the cancer was caught early, which is good. But treatment options can be tough. So far I've been told either to remove my prostate now or go under a program of "active surveillance" or "watchful waiting" and remove it later. I've been encouraged by many survivors and those who have lost loved ones to remove it before it metastasizes. But that's the last thing I want to do.
I'm still reeling from the biopsy, which was awful. I was awake and given a local anesthetic but the pain was unbearable, with needles poking my prostate through my rectum to take 12 pieces from the prostate. Post-biopsy, there was blood in my urine and stool. I was disturbed for weeks to see bright red streams of blood shoot out of me. So you can imagine my fear of the effects of having my prostate removed, especially when you add the risks of incontinence and impotence.
Perhaps it's my avoidance of enduring another biopsy or having my prostate removed that has me more interested in alternative methods at this time. As a result, I've met with great doctors in Houston and in New York City.
At New York Columbia-Presbyterian I recently met Dr. Aaron Katz, Professor of Clinical Urology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and Founder and Director of the Center for Holistic Urology. He and his team conduct clinical trials which investigate the role of natural therapies within urology. He believes in traditional medicine but practices an integrative approach: allopathic and holistic.
Perplexed by having prostate cancer at such a young age, I asked Dr. Katz point-blank: Are all the hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in our foods contributing to rising cancer rates? His answer was an emphatic "Yes."
Another doctor told me to remove stress factors in my life. Said stress also can spur cancer.
Thus, I've radically changed my lifestyle. I eat five small meals a day, three of which are vegetarian. I eat mostly organic, and nothing fried. My main source of protein is usually a fatty fish like salmon, and I'm on a regimen of high-grade supplements of herbs, mushrooms and antioxidants. I also make a point to sleep more than the four to five hours I used to sleep, and I've slowed down.
Any results? Yes. In 12 weeks my PSA has decreased. I'll have another PSA at the end of this quarter and then the next. The doctors and I hope to see my PSA continue to drop. But this isn't all about me. It's about a threat to all men, young and old.
As a young man, I encourage other young men to:
I also just returned from Washington, D.C., where I attended the 2010 Zero Summit to End Prostate Cancer. Also in attendance were advocates, researchers and others who are making a difference in this vital battle. I was encouraged to see in person support by Speaker Pelosi, Senator Kerry, Senator Sessions, Congressman Cummings and Congressman Neugebauer. And I was moved to meet husbands, dads, sons and brothers afflicted with this cancer and hear their stories. Let's also not forget the wives, daughters, sisters and moms affected by loved ones dealing with this dreadful disease.
Among them I was touched by Sherry Galloway, who told of her son Jeremy. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 34 and gave the fight his all, but lost at age 36. I never met Jeremy, but I met his mother and she described him as a loving, passionate man who was loved by many and wanted to make a difference. He did. In fact, Jeremy donated his body for cancer research.
Now I too am inspired and motivated, and I pledge to make a difference. I pledge to raise awareness. I pledge to be an advocate. I pledge to lobby Congress for more money to study and fight prostate cancer. I also pledge to keep fighting my own prostate cancer. That fight came too early in my young life, but now I'm determined to see it through.
Follow Gabe Canales on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GabeCanales
David Katz, M.D.: Omission, Commission & Medical Outcomes: PSA And Sin Selection
~Donna
www.ProstateVideos.com
Gerald Chodak, M.D.
Gabe's education offered, from personal experience and research, might just save your loved one's life or if you're male, your own.
Prostate troubles and yes, even prostate cancer are highly preventable. Men don't have to suffer.
Excellent article.
Michael Toebe
http://prostatecoaching.com
http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com/2010/03/fighting-prostate-cancer.html
Regular exercise, proper nutrition, stress reduction, and early examinations are among the best weapons we have against this disease. What we can control, we should control. There's no excuse not to take care of ourselves and get in for a check up.
-healthy_blogging
Living Fit, Healthy and Happy
THE health & wellness website committed to helping you live a healthy life!
http://www.livingfithealthyandhappy.com
I discovered benign prostatits about 7 years ago to my utter consternation (I did not know it was benign at that time). My PSA, which is only an indirect measure of the probability of cancer and not at all conclusive, has varied from 6 to slightly over 15. Under 4 is considered normal.
Over the years, I have struggled along, reading books and talking to other people who at risk of cancer or already have it. There seems to be a good number of intelligent people who believe diet (lots of vegetables, fatty fishes, red fruit, lots of red beans, zero fried foods and no lactose products) can have a positive effect, however, my doctor, friends and even girlfriend laugh this off.
And yet, my PSA shrunk to 6 from 9.6 after six months of following such a diet. Still all my friends, doctor and (new) girl friend laugh at me. It is very, very disheartening. I feel like I almost have to be angry at the world to follow a diet which I believe is important in social settings.
I wonder what others think or if they have had similar experiences.
And get a new girl friend too!
Believe me, I have been pondering your idea as of late! -:)
As a CaP survivor I think my outcome would have been different has I not taken charge of the decision process and created my own method of researching and evaluating all the information I was able to collect off of the net, books, and talking to others. I believe that the patient needs to become empowered and learn to get recommendations from medical providers but make the final decision. That way men in their 30's will tell their doctor that they want to be screened. I am the patient and I think it needs to be done. I have been screened for more than 35 years and only 1 once did the PSA go up whereby I made the decision to get the biopsy. Result: early, small, slow.
Won't work for everyone that way but think like a CEO and take charge, get information and make a decision and get action.