September - Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Alexr al'Petros

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Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer diagnosed in men, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer.

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of semen.

Prostate cancer often has no early symptoms. Advanced prostate cancer can cause men to urinate more often or have a weaker flow of urine, but these symptoms can also be caused by benign prostate conditions.

Because of effective screening options for prostate cancer, the disease is often caught before it spreads, and as a whole, survival rates are good for this type of cancer.

The National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program estimates that more than 248,530 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 34,130 men will die of the disease in 2021.

Prostate cancer is more common in older men. It is more likely to occur in men with a family history of prostate cancer and in men of African-American descent. Other risk factors include smoking, being overweight, and not getting enough exercise. In the United States, about 11 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point during their lifetimes.

Looking for ways to support prostate cancer awareness and research? Each week, the Servant of All Team will share a way you can support Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (all year long). In the meantime, here is a signature ...

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and a badge ...

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for you to use if you'd like to show your support this month.
 
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Juliya Karisu

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Showing my support! My dad had prostate cancer during 2020-2021. He was a very healthy person and it was caught because of his yearly checkup (a reminder to make sure you're getting checked every year!) He is doing much better now but it was horrible to go through (especially during a pandemic).
 

Polegnyn Nemeara

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Oh, Light... **:hugs Juliya** Can't even begin to imagine... :( What kept everyone from stressing out?
 

Alexr al'Petros

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@Juliya Karisu Sedai, deep gassho and thank you for sharing your story. 🙏

As I studied this month's theme, I was shocked to find out how prevalent prostate cancer is in our communities. There is a bit of unwarranted shame involved with prostate cancer among the male community, and so most folks do not want to discuss or find it difficult to discuss prostate cancer. Hopefully, this month, we can encourage some awareness and support for it, so that those struggling with it and their families might better be supported by the "Aes Sedai" spirit in each of us. Here's a tip on what you can do to raise funds, awareness, and a free-tshirt!

1. Sign up for a local 5K or 10K
Ask people to pledge you per mile to help fund lifesaving cancer research!
If you register your fundraising page at https://join.pcf.org/community and they will send you a PCF shirt to wear at the race!

Get out there, do something healthy! And be courageous like Juliya Sedai, share your stories here; you never know how important those stories may be (but trust us, you will find out before the end of the month!).
 

Veriendha ti al'Riaha

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Thank you for this reminder! Time to make sure my husband gets his annual check up.
 

Thaddius al'Guy

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Showing my support! My dad had prostate cancer during 2020-2021. He was a very healthy person and it was caught because of his yearly checkup (a reminder to make sure you're getting checked every year!) He is doing much better now but it was horrible to go through (especially during a pandemic).

My dad is currently going through this. Has a appointment in a few weeks to see if what the Doctor saw is cancerous so we're hoping it's nothing.
 

Alora Sionn

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@Juliya Karisu Sedai, deep gassho and thank you for sharing your story. 🙏

As I studied this month's theme, I was shocked to find out how prevalent prostate cancer is in our communities. There is a bit of unwarranted shame involved with prostate cancer among the male community, and so most folks do not want to discuss or find it difficult to discuss prostate cancer. Hopefully, this month, we can encourage some awareness and support for it, so that those struggling with it and their families might better be supported by the "Aes Sedai" spirit in each of us. Here's a tip on what you can do to raise funds, awareness, and a free-tshirt!

1. Sign up for a local 5K or 10K
Ask people to pledge you per mile to help fund lifesaving cancer research!
If you register your fundraising page at https://join.pcf.org/community and they will send you a PCF shirt to wear at the race!

Get out there, do something healthy! And be courageous like Juliya Sedai, share your stories here; you never know how important those stories may be (but trust us, you will find out before the end of the month!).
I think I'll do this and I'll see if anyone I know wants to join me 💪
 

Alexr al'Petros

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@Veriendha al'Riaha and @Polegnyn Nemeara thanks for actualizing awareness and encouraging people you care about to get checked.

@Thaddius al'Guy , thank you for sharing your personal story and @Alora Sionn thank you for getting involved.

This week, we would like you to consider.

2. Spreading awareness in your workplace or local community (beyond TVN)!
The Prostate Cancer Foundation will send you up to 50 free copies of the guide “Things Every Man Should Know” about Prostate Cancer – provides quick stats and information about prostate cancer.

In addition, please consider watching and sharing this relatively short video (link below). It explores 4 men's story and their journey with prostrate cancer. Perhaps it may serve as a limited replacement for the normal SOA Monthly watch parties.

Faces of Prostate Cancer
 

Polegnyn Nemeara

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I have to admit this short video helped calm concerns that popped up since my friend first shared their diagnosis. Being reassured doesn't negatively impact how much I value their presence one bit, but it's good knowing the possibility of having an enjoyable life despite such a diagnosis still exists.
 

Juliya Karisu

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My dad is currently going through this. Has a appointment in a few weeks to see if what the Doctor saw is cancerous so we're hoping it's nothing.
Oh Thaddius, I hope it's okay.

My dad is doing really well right now! He is thankful they caught it in early stages with the screening. He has resumed his active lifestyle and loves to go hiking. He is 68 years old.

I should also mention that he found out he had lymphoma at the same time (a different cancer) which was treated differently. His prostate cancer could not be treated until his lymphoma, which was more serious, was gone. So he did have to wait about a year and a half until he could start his prostate cancer treatment. It was a pretty hellish time for him and our family because he was doing chemo during the pandemic, but as I said, he is doing so well now and we're all thankful for the time we've had together, not taking it for granted anymore! The cancer clinic here was so helpful and the doctors really know what they're doing. Spreading awareness like this is such a help.

The treatment my dad had for prostate cancer is called brachytherapy. It had some side effects and still does for my dad. But it worked really well. As I understood it, there were a few different kinds of treatment and this was the one the doctor recommended and my dad opted for.
 

Alexr al'Petros

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@Thaddius al'Guy , Gaidin, brother thank you for sharing. Please stay motivated about the diagnosis and treatment outcomes. And consider sharing the the short documentary with your father or family. The documentary answers questions, gives a glimpse of life with prostate cancer and, as @Polegnyn Nemeara Sedai notes, offers hope. @Juliya Karisu , Sedai, I really appreciate hearing your story and that your father is doing really well and has been able to return to an active lifestyle.

Here's something else that each of us as a Servant of All might do.

3. Set up a Prostate Cancer Foundation fundraising page
Honor a person or family that has been impacted by prostate cancer. This September is a great time to let someone from your life know that you care or that remember them. Ask friends, family, colleagues to join you in supporting this important personal cause.

Finally, in case you don't know someone with Prostate cancer, let me introduce myself. I am diagnosed with Stage 4a prostate cancer. This means it has left my prostate and moved to my lymph nodes; but only in the general groin area. Stage 4a also means that it is very far along. I only found out about it in March of this year. It was discovered coincidentally (serendipitously?) with an examination for a ruptured bicep. My family (3 kids and wife) and I were devastated. I'm a very healthy, very active 55 y/o. I have been so upset by this diagnosis that only now, 7 months later, am I really able to discuss my condition publicly (my parents still don't know). I'm currently undergoing a newly developed (and recently out of trials) extreme hormone therapy. If the hormone therapy goes well; I'll become eligible for radiation therapy (hopefully, right after Anni). The hormone therapy is hell; because it gives me brain fog and lethargy. In addition, I cycle through depressive episodes, intense heat flashes (repeatedly throughout the day), and frequent loss of emotional control. BUT, thanks to funding research for prostate cancer, my survivability beyond 6 years is up to 85%!

My name is Alex Peterson. I have prostate cancer and I personally and deeply appreciate your support.
 
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Alora Sionn

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:hug :hug 💪
 

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:hug Alexr, thank you for sharing. We are here for you whenever you need us.

My father is a prostate cancer survivor. His was caught very early as he is also a transplant patient. During his regular bloodwork to ensure he wasn't reject his new organ his PSA count was elevated. There was a lot of immediate concern, because his doctors didn't think the new liver could withstand chemo (his condition is autoimmune and had already begun to attack the liver by the time of his diagnosis). He was able to have surgery and do radiation, which put him into remission.

Since then, he's also battled skin, stomach, and colon cancer successfully. Unfortunately his 18-year-old liver is failing, so his condition is steadily deteriorating. But I've always been incredibly proud of how he's fought through all of his health adversity.

But it's so important if you have other serious health issues to get regularly screened for prostate and other detectable cancers. Your health could limit treatment options.
 

Alexr al'Petros

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Thank you all for your kind sentiments and words (both public and private). Prostate cancer is an interesting journey that has radically changed many aspects of my life. It seems that we are almost done with this month's awareness theme. Here's one final activity that you might consider.

4. Donate $25 or more to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and get 10 awareness pins
Show your support of prostate cancer awareness and research with light blue prostate cancer pins. Share with friends and family.

You are also welcome to follow along with my journey, check in on me anytime. I certainly intend to not give up; but your "boost ups" are always welcomed.
 
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