My Personal Observations

Recently one of the regional hospitals contacted me and asked if I would be available to host a new men’s prostate cancer support group. Given my background and training as a motivational speaker, it sounded like a fun experience, so I said yes.

Apparently they tried something similar in the past, and while there was some initial success, they were hopeful that a new focus and a new group discussion leader might spark more visibility within the community.

Something missing after treatment

As a first step an invitation went out to a group of men who had undergone some form of treatment (radiation or surgery) for prostate cancer. Several men expressed interest in attending, so it looked as if our first meeting was going to be off to a great start.

Without exception all the men knew what treatment they had received, but all felt as if something was missing after treatment. The only thing on their agenda was to schedule the next PSA test. As our initial meeting continued, each man offered an update as to where he was on his prostate cancer journey. It was interesting to see how some of the men reacted.

Different approaches

One gentleman, age 70, reported that following his surgery, he decided to make a total change in how he ate and also his diet. His approach was to stop all sugar, all alcohol, and to focus on meat (beef, chicken, lamb, and vegetables). He told us he eats a small breakfast of fruit, consumes 8 glasses of water in a day, and has his main meal of the day meal at 5:30. How he developed his approach was not clear.

In sharp contrast, others in the group said they had not made any changes, but just went back to eating as they had before. Several freely admitted to perhaps over overindulging with alcohol and recreational drugs as a way to enjoy life in new ways, now that sex function was different after surgery.

A troubling pattern

I have now been speaking and writing about prostate cancer and men’s knowledge about the disease for more than 7 years. The troubling pattern I am seeing when it comes to prostate cancer and treatment is disturbing.

First, men as a group tend to be very casual about the need for regular health checks. Second, many GPs appear to take a casual approach to the warning signs of prostate cancer. I cannot begin to tell you of the number of MDs I have interviewed who have said they have not gone in for a physical in years.

Third, when men are treated for prostate cancer, there appears to be a general sense that men do not need more information on what to expect after treatment. Nor does the medical community appear committed to offering men information about the importance of diet and prostate cancer, or the need for regular exercise following treatment.

My view on living with cancer

These days my view on living with cancer is as follows. I have a low-calorie diet and eat a lot of chicken and fish while limiting my consumption of red meat to about once a week. I have also chosen to be physically active and seek to maintain a healthy weight level. Fortunately, I never smoked in my life; that said, my father smoked, so I suspect I was exposed to the dangers of 2nd hand smoke as a youngster.

I had several cancers enter my life beginning in 2013, so I am scared. At the same time, I am also getting used to living with it. My philosophy is to live and appreciate life one day at a time.

My final advice to all men is: be your own health advocate, do some research, and ask questions. I think it's best to not smoke, not get fat, and not assume that the consumption of alcoholic drinks and recreational drugs is an ok way to go.