The Toughest Journey in the World by Robert Warren Hess Every cancer survivor faces their own, unique journey through the rest of their life. I know, because I’m an 11 year prostate cancer survivor. It’s a life-changing journey of survival that requires changes in what we do, what we eat, and how we think. In my case, my survival program included getting back on my bicycle and riding around the world*, because exercise helps build the body’s immune system and helps with changing to a healthier life system. Le Tour de France 2014 The Tour de France is, without question, the toughest bicycle race in the world. The 2014 edition of the Tour de France lasts 21 days and covers 3,664 kilometers – that’s 2,276.704 miles! Just finishing the Tour de France is an incredible feat. The journey of a lifetime for a professional cyclist. But, as is almost always the case, the focus is almost soley on the most talented riders – the race leaders, CG contenders, king of the mountain contenders, and the sprinters. There’s even a special category for the best younger rider and the most courages rider of the day. But there is no recognition for the […] read more 
2014 Tour de France – Stage 1 Lanterne Rouge
The Toughest Journey in the World by Robert Warren Hess Every cancer survivor faces their own, unique journey through the rest of their life. I know, because I’m an 11 year prostate cancer survivor. It’s a life-changing journey of survival that requires changes in what we do, what we eat, and how we think. In my case, my survival program included getting back on my bicycle and riding around the world*, because exercise helps build the body’s immune system and helps with changing to a healthier life system. Le Tour de France 2014 The Tour de France is, without question, the toughest bicycle race in the world. The 2014 edition of the Tour de France lasts 21 days and covers 3,664 kilometers – that’s 2,276.704 miles! Just finishing the Tour de France is an incredible feat. The journey of a lifetime for a professional cyclist. But, as is almost always the case, the focus is almost soley on the most talented riders – the race leaders, CG contenders, king of the mountain contenders, and the sprinters. There’s even a special category for the best younger rider and the most courages rider of the day. But there is no recognition for the […] read more What a 6-Year Old Can Teach Men About Prostate Cancer
Ale Gianna’s Message to Her Dad on Father’s Day 6-year old Ale Gianna is a remarkable young person. I met her and her father in Phoenix earlier this spring on a Prostate Cancer Awareness Project mission to participate in a prostate cancer motorcycle ride hosted by Shelley Martin – Scottsdale Harley-Davidson – as part of Arizona Bike Week. Ale’s message is to all Dads everywhere. Thank you Ale, from all of us! read more 2nd Annual Arizona Bike Week Prostate Cancer Ride
by Robert Warren Hess The PCAP Pony Express rode on April 2nd with Shelley Martin and her “Peace Out for Prostate Cancer” ride at Arizona Bike Week in Phoenix. Shelley founded the ride in 2013 in honor of her father and grandfather, both of who died from prostate cancer. It was a beautiful day, with close to 400 riders making a loop through the area north of Phoenix. My father lived in Phoenix and loved the desert and I can see why. It has a very special beauty. One-on-One About Prostate Cancer It’s always great to be out with guys because we have a chance to talk about prostate cancer one-on-one. I spoke with one rider. “Joe,” who has had a rising PSA for two years but had just received a negative biopsy. “joe’s” PSA is up to 10 – remember that 4 is generally considered “normal”* – and there are no abnormalities with his physical exam. He told me that his biopsy consisted of 6 core samples. I’m not a doctor and I don’t give medical advice, but I remember that my biopsy included 18 core samples and it took two sets of 18 samples to find my two […] read more Earth Hour, Prostate Cancer Prevention, and My Bicycle Ride Around the World
Just How do Earth Hour and Prostate Cancer Prevention Come Together? Earth Hour began seven years go in Sidney, Australia and is about preserving the earth’s environment. Over 7,000 cities and towns around the globe have now created annual Earth Hour events that take place on March 29th. There are many different types of cancer but research has shown that environmental factors often play a key role in the gene mutations associated with cancer. As of the end of 2013, there were more than 12 million Americans living with cancer. So, there’s the environmental connection between Earth Hour and preventing prostate cancer, but what’s the connection to my bicycle ride around the world? The PCAP Around the World Cycling Challenge Lack of exercise and poor nutrition contribute significantly to a third of all cancers, including prostate cancer. After my diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer in 2003, I decided to create my personal prostate cancer battle plan to reduce the possibility of recurrence as much as possible. The key exercise element in my program was bicycling. I got back on my bicycle and began riding again. After the first year I decided I needed a goal for focus, so I […] read more A New Indicator for Metastatic Prostate Cancer
Early Warning Tool for Aggressive Prostate Cancer by Robert Warren Hess If you follow this blog and our website you know that our focus is on the early detection of prostate cancer while it is in the treatable stage. Once a prostate cancer is detected, the next critical step is determining whether or not it is the aggressive type that will metastasize. Key Gene for Prostate Cancer Metastasis Recent research at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute indicates that the SSeCKSIAKAP12 gene is a key inhibitor of prostate cancer metastasis. The research report notes that about one-third of prostate cancers delete this gene and move to the metastatic stage. This still is early research, but the gene’s absence could be a good indicator that a particular prostate cancer will become aggressive. Prostate Cancer Recurrence Every prostate cancer survivor is concerned about cancer recurrence and most of us watch our annual PSA tests like a hawk. Testing for the presence of this gene may be another means of predicting prostate cancer recurrence. Read the Full Article You can find a report summary at the OncologyNurseAdvisor and the full article in the Journal of Cancer Research – Cancer Research (2014; doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-13-1157). Your Next […] read more The PCAP rides with George Hincapie!
The Inaugural Malibu Gran Fondo Kicks Off Tomorrow By Robert Warren Hess Tomorrow I reduce the number of miles until I earn my Around the World Mileage Challenge Jersey by 90 miles, leaving me just 200 to go before I have covered 24,601.6l3 miles it takes to ride around the earth at the equator. [Click this link to see how You can earn one too!] Cycling is one of The PCAP’s major prostate cancer awareness programs and I try to get to as many rides as I can. Cycling is a great way to meet guys and gals and talk about the importance of annual prostate cancer testing in a relaxed, one-on-one basis. And, it’s a great way to reduce your prostate cancer risk. Who would have thought? And guess what! Big George Hincapie is riding with us! Very cool! I always drive my Honda Element with the prostate cancer awareness wrap. If you see it, please say hello. If you can tell me your two most recent PSA (prostate specific antigen) numbers you’ll score a free pair of very cool cycling socks. Enjoy your ride! read more Life after Your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis – What Does it Mean to You?
How Has Your Life Changed After Your Prostate Cancer Diagnosis? The focus and the meaning my life changed following my prostate cancer diagnosis almost 11 years ago. And I believe that most us survivors have experienced similar changes and have stories to tell that might help the men following in our footsteps. In my decade of prostate cancer survivorship, I’ve read hundreds of articles and studies on prostate cancer, but almost all of them focused on the statistical aspects of prostate cancer, not how prostate cancer impacts peoples lives. Our Opportunity to Tell Our Stories I was recently contacted by Carol Brady, a Doctoral Candidate at Walden University who is undertaking a research study to understand the changes that take place in our lives. If you would like to be part of this important study, you can contact Ms. Brady at carol.brady@waldenu.edu. Please read Ms. Brady’s proposal below. I hope you’ll join up! Here’s Ms. Brady’s Proposal to Us Though there has been substantial research on meaning in life in general, and a small number of studies have explored meaning making in cancer patients and survivors, the literature has focused almost exclusively on either women or other types of cancer such as breast and […] read more Why Knowing Your PSA Score is Critical
A Close Call I received this email this afternoon, and it is another reminder of how we guys always think we’re invincible. We just don’t think about prostate cancer. “Robert — back in 2012 I was lucky enough to win the KOM in my age category and you kindly arranged to ship me my winner’s jersey. (I missed the race in 2013 because of business travel.) Wearing the jersey will now have additional meaning for me because I recently learned that I have prostate cancer. I’m 60 years old, my Gleason is 6, PSA is 2.5, and the biopsy revealed cancer in only 30% of the cells in only one of twelve places. So, after consulting with doctors, I’m electing for active surveillance for the indefinite future. If the cancer worsens then I’ll make a treatment decision. I have to admit I never gave prostate cancer a thought before I spoke to you briefly after the ride in 2012, and when I wore the jersey in 2013 I still never inferred any possibility that prostate cancer could affect me. Ironic, yes? When the doctor starting talking to me about prostate cancer it was only because of my conversation with […] read more Why the Christmas Holidays are Important to Me
Why Christmas is Special to Me by Robert Warren Hess It’s Christmas Eve here in Manhattan Beach, California. Our tree is finished. The gifts are wrapped and placed under the tree. My wife will be home from work in half an hour, and in just two more hours our California family will begin spilling into the house – I’ve already Skyped (new word) with my family in Virginia who are well into their celebrations. The Christmas season is one of the great moments of the year for me. Despite the frantic rush to find that perfect gift, it is a special time when families get together and share joy within the framework of that “Higher Power,” whatever the belief may be. I love Thanksgiving, but Christmas holds a special place for me because so many of the very special people in my life love this holiday, and each of them lent me their strength when I needed it during my prostate cancer treatment just over 10 years ago. Their strength and love got me through my rough time and convinced me to create the Prostate Cancer Awareness Project to help the men and families following in my footsteps. So today […] read more Prostate Cancer Regimens – What are They and When are They Used?
We receive many questions about prostate cancer chemotherapy, which treatments are used and their sequence. The Chemotherapy Advisor website has a good summary and detail descriptions available for download. Happy Holidays! The PCAP Team read more Donate to PCAP
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