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In The News

PSA Fitness (Power, Strength & Agility)
HALIFAX, N.S., January 16, 2012/CNW/ Prostate Cancer Canada Atlantic is proud to announce the launch of PSA Fitness (Power, Strength & Agility), a free nine week exercise program for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. PSA Fitness, resistance training and yoga, is an important patient-centered therapy for prostate cancer survivors in Halifax.

TELUS donation to support Prostate Cancer Canada
Toronto, ON- January 13, 2012- On January 10th, Prostate Cancer Canada received a generous donation of $100,000 from TELUS at the launch of the TIEd Together exhibition. TELUS’ donation was made possible through the Canadian Football League Grey Cup cause marketing campaign. The donation will support Prostate Cancer Canada’s ongoing efforts to eliminate the disease through research, education, support and awareness.

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Stories of Courage

Len Kurt is a human resources professional living in Kitchener, Ont. Last fall his life changed, along with the lives of his family. Here is their story.

“We began a journey that was unplanned, unprepared for, (with an) undetermined destination…”

On Oct. 17, 2008 Len and Susanne Kurt met with a urologist to receive the results from recent tests. After several days, a diagnosis of prostate cancer was confirmed.

“This was unplanned, we were unprepared for the results, there was a feeling of loss of control," Len recalls. "The 'C’ word was overwhelming, I felt like I was given a potential 'death' sentence."

Sue, Len’s wife, was in shock. “I didn’t believe it," she says. "I had gone in feeling certain he didn’t have it; was glad I had gone with him for the news. I felt it was important to be with him and support him regardless of the outcome. He had --typical for him-- prepared some questions 'just in case'. I felt he held it together very well, perhaps his HR experience helped. He asked questions especially about how it could affect family members – brother, son.”

After receiving the test results, “the doctor said the cancer was aggressive and growing quickly based on the PSA test results," says Len. "The best treatment options at this point were either surgery or radiation. It became obvious very quickly that we needed to take action - time was not my friend.”

Based on Len’s age, family history and the aggressiveness of the cancer, the urologist told Len that he had two options, either a radical prostatectomy (surgery) or radiation.

“I recall him saying that our lives will be changed – that was tough to imagine and prepare for given what we knew at the time,” says Len.

“It was a very emotional time for me and my wife. We went to Tim Horton’s –Tim’s is in the therapy business, you know– to pick up a coffee and lunch. We had so many questions and so many things to sort out,” Len remembers.

One of the things that Len and Sue had discussed was how to tell their children and friends.

“Our daughter happened to be home for the weekend so we told her when we came home. She seemed to have prepared herself for the worst outcome," says Sue. "Len told our son when he came home from work. Both kids had questions, some of which we weren’t able to answer. It was probably the hardest thing for Len to do. He was very emotional."

After thinking about options for a some time, Len and Sue started to think more seriously about the possibility of surgery and decided to consult with a urologist (who also happened to be a surgeon). After learning more about the surgery and the side effects, some of which are very unpleasant and last for some time, Len along with the support of his friends and family elected to have surgery.

“I found the few days before and especially the day of surgery quite hard and very stressful,” says Sue. “Sometimes I felt that it was unfair that he did not have other treatment options, other times I wondered what if the reports were wrong and he had been incorrectly diagnosed? It was an emotional time. On the day of the surgery, we had a very short time to say ‘love you’ before they took him into the OR – just a quick side hug and a kiss and then he was whisked away. It was difficult for me to see him go in for surgery that could and would potentially have so many side effects."

Following the surgery Len remembers waking up in the recovery room: “I woke up and was shivering like crazy. The surgeon approached me and told me that the surgery went well and he believed that the cancer had been contained within the prostate, but that nothing would be known for certain until we received the pathology report."

For Sue, watching her husband recover from the surgery was very difficult.

“After the surgery it was hard to see Len in so much pain with the IV, drainage tube, catheter and oxygen tube all connected to him. Thankfully he was still quite drowsy and dozed off several times during the afternoon. Seeing him rest and coping with everything that was happening was comforting to me," she says.

"However, one thing I found quite surprising in all of this experience was the number of incidents of prostate cancer and wondered why we didn’t hear more about it like we do with breast cancer. I was also surprised to hear how many family members, friends, and co-workers who knew of someone with prostate cancer. If it is so prevalent, then why don’t we hear more about it?”

Six weeks after the surgery Len met with the urologist to review the results from the follow–up pathology report.

“There was evidence of cancer cells in the seminal vesicles and surrounding fatty tissues," Len states. "A PSA test was ordered to be done in four weeks. I met with urologist 11 weeks following surgery, and the PSA test results were .003; in other words, a good result. From this point on, this PSA reading will be the baseline to which other tests will be measured.”

“What has helped us in this journey is what we have learned through reading various booklets that the doctors/specialists provided us; research that Len has done through the Internet and elsewhere and from what the doctors have told us," says Sue. "We also have a lot of friends who were saying prayers for us – which helped me as well. I also prayed and continue to do so.”

“Today, I am feeling pretty good,” says Len. "My energy and stamina are improving, and I am not on any medication. To all the people who will read this article, I would tell them this: be diligent. Get regular physicals and PSA tests. Ladies, urge your husbands, partners, colleagues and friends to do so. Be vigilant in pursuing information, understanding test results, obtaining more tests. Reach out – there are a lot of resources available, so seek them out. Talk about your disease – it’s a small world. Prostate cancer is very common, yet a relatively little talked about disease – we need to break down the inhibitions/barriers. Finally, have faith and hope for the future, and take responsibility, you are responsible for your own health.”