Learn about prostate cancer
The New Mexican has been providing a service to its readers this year with some important, interesting and revealing stories about cancer, in particular the two pieces by Andy Winnegar (“For prostate cancer, older men should consider test,” April 15; “Living with prostate cancer,” July 9). These provided something too seldom seen — a frank, firsthand account by a man about his recent prostate cancer diagnosis and how he’s dealing with a new health challenge.
Statistics provided by the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) indicate that about 1,000 New Mexico men were newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. After all, a man’s chance of getting prostate cancer during his lifetime is 1 in 7, and that likelihood increases with age.
Yet, and I can testify as a board member of the Prostate Cancer Support Association of New Mexico (www. pcsanm.org), way too many men do not like to talk about any health-related things that go on below their belts. Certainly not about having prostate cancer or even biting the bullet and getting a simple blood test as a first step to determine their prostate health.
One thing men do tend to learn about prostate cancer is that treatment options — and there are many — can attack what many men firmly feel is their masculinity. There is a notable chance that treatment will leave the guy impotent or incontinent or both. Since they don’t talk about it, they don’t engage as much in support groups or awareness movements, compared to women with breast cancer.
Trying to get men, and frankly their families, engaged is why our statewide group exists. We’ve been there.
Our seventh annual all-day free conference will be held in Albuquerque on Nov. 10.
This year’s theme isn’t focused on early diagnosis and Prostate Cancer 101-type talks. Past ones have been. This year’s theme is “Living and Thriving with Prostate Cancer.”
It’s important, especially for the recently diagnosed man, his family and friends to view prostate cancer not as an end, but as a beginning and the point to start taking control. That is why this year’s conference will present suggestions for a kind of lifestyle blueprint men can apply to live and hopefully survive during treatment and after.
New Mexico-based doctors and other health professionals along with some from around the country will be present for this year’s conference.
Jan Esparza, a Presbyterian and MD Anderson Cancer Center registered dietitian, will offer thoughts about diet and nutrition. Dr. Ken Smith, medical oncology/hematology, Presbyterian Medical Group, will talk about bone health for prostate cancer patients. Molly Adler, Sex Therapy New Mexico, will speak about sexual issues after treatment. Dr. Fabio Almeida of Phoenix’s Molecular Imaging will focus on being alert for potential recurrence after initial treatment.
There also will be a panel discussion during which members of the Prostate Cancer Support Association of New Mexico talk about what worked and didn’t work for them when informing friends, family, coworkers and others about their prostate cancer.
Our Nov. 10 conference will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sandia Preparatory School, 532 Osuna Road, NE, Albuquerque.
Established in 1991, the Prostate Cancer Support Association of New Mexico is a nonprofit organization consisting primarily of prostate cancer survivors. It offers information, comfort and support to men recently diagnosed, their families and friends. For more information, go to www.pcsanm.org.