I sure did not think I would ever get it. But as I think about that statement I realize I did not think or know much about the prostate gland let alone prostate cancer. My life was good (and still is even though I have PCa and I am presently unemployed); I thought I was in good health; I tend to eat a relatively low-fat, healthy diet; and I am in pretty good shape for the shape I am in. I have used soy milk for years in my oatmeal. Isn't that the magic formula for good health? Why was I not prepared to hear that dreaded diagnosis on June 30, 2009? There were signals all around me, but I was not tuned in to the right station.
Some like to weigh in with the “what if” game. I am one that typically does not go down that road, but in this case it might be interesting. For starters, let’s look at what I knew or did not know. I hate to admit it but I was not well acquainted with my little buddy "the prostate gland" and how vulnerable he was to cancer. What I had logged into my brain was the statement that “more men die with prostate cancer than from it.” That automatically left me off the hook, or so I thought. But in the “what if” game, would things have been any different had I known that 1 in 6 men will have prostate cancer in their life time and this statistic jumps to 1 in 3 if your father had the disease? In my case, my father did have PCa that he had treated and is doing quite well. Or, that 220,000 men will be diagnosed with PCa this year? In the case of men whose fathers have or had PCa it is imperative to know that part of your family health history. If you do not know, ask someone who does.
What if I had been more aware of what was beneficial for my prostate and what was detrimental to its well being? I had some ideas like red fruits and vegetables are good (the lycopene connection; http://www.lycopene.com/); soy products are a friend of this gland; and “be sure to take your saw palmetto.” Now that I am on this side of the prostate cancer statistics I am finding out what a large part diet and exercise play in prostate health. Good nutrition is always important whether you have PCa or not. It is interesting that the nutritional elements that help in the war against high cholesterol and heart disease are in the war chest for prostate health. It is kind of like everything you know you should not eat, you eat because you live in the USA. The land of milk and honey is now the land of beef and pork and the high fat diet. That is slowly changing with heightened consumer awareness to the benefits of a healthy diet. Would things be different had I known the effects of diet and nutrition in fighting PCa years ago?
Since I cannot go back and change my past or even what I learned or did not learn in the past, what can I do now? That brings me to the purpose of these writings: to help me process my thoughts and actions in fighting this battle; and to send out a signal in helping others heighten their prostate health awareness. That includes what has been mentioned above as well as screening and early detection. Cancer does not always play by the rules, but it is wise to be proactive. To the best of your abilities, be in charge of your health!
Some like to weigh in with the “what if” game. I am one that typically does not go down that road, but in this case it might be interesting. For starters, let’s look at what I knew or did not know. I hate to admit it but I was not well acquainted with my little buddy "the prostate gland" and how vulnerable he was to cancer. What I had logged into my brain was the statement that “more men die with prostate cancer than from it.” That automatically left me off the hook, or so I thought. But in the “what if” game, would things have been any different had I known that 1 in 6 men will have prostate cancer in their life time and this statistic jumps to 1 in 3 if your father had the disease? In my case, my father did have PCa that he had treated and is doing quite well. Or, that 220,000 men will be diagnosed with PCa this year? In the case of men whose fathers have or had PCa it is imperative to know that part of your family health history. If you do not know, ask someone who does.
What if I had been more aware of what was beneficial for my prostate and what was detrimental to its well being? I had some ideas like red fruits and vegetables are good (the lycopene connection; http://www.lycopene.com/); soy products are a friend of this gland; and “be sure to take your saw palmetto.” Now that I am on this side of the prostate cancer statistics I am finding out what a large part diet and exercise play in prostate health. Good nutrition is always important whether you have PCa or not. It is interesting that the nutritional elements that help in the war against high cholesterol and heart disease are in the war chest for prostate health. It is kind of like everything you know you should not eat, you eat because you live in the USA. The land of milk and honey is now the land of beef and pork and the high fat diet. That is slowly changing with heightened consumer awareness to the benefits of a healthy diet. Would things be different had I known the effects of diet and nutrition in fighting PCa years ago?
Since I cannot go back and change my past or even what I learned or did not learn in the past, what can I do now? That brings me to the purpose of these writings: to help me process my thoughts and actions in fighting this battle; and to send out a signal in helping others heighten their prostate health awareness. That includes what has been mentioned above as well as screening and early detection. Cancer does not always play by the rules, but it is wise to be proactive. To the best of your abilities, be in charge of your health!
I love you, Dad!
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