Hi Guys,
I love this thread, lots of exciting issues, research, and perceptions etc, a few more thoughts you might like.
FACT 1 : Let us start with the widely accepted fact that for PCa the number one risk factor is family history:
Both of my grandfathers died of prostate cancer, or in one case 'blocked water' as it was known in those days.
However both lived well into their 80's.
I am fortunate to have memories of both of them who were alive during my childhood, they both drank, smoked and enjoyed life with a marvelous joi de vie I seek to emulate.
One was an engine driver in the days of steam, (LM&S) so lots of coal, steam, oil and soot in his envirornment.
The other was a gents hairdresser, so again lots of brilliantine and oils on his hands, he also served in the first world war, I have marvelous photos of his advanced regimental barber shop, it seems that in those days it was considered important to set up a barbers shop in a bell tent just behind the front line, so those guys going over the top would all meet their maker with a neat 'short back and sides'.
So to round up this rambble, they were both exposed to hazardous substances, like engine oil, smoke, alcohol etc, but they both lived to a ripe old age.
My father died in his 70's, from heart/cardio issues. Which raises the question, did he have PCa? Well it was never diagnosed, but with all of the heart isssues he maybe never noticed.
Certainlly my father, grandfathers all rode push bike, as indeed did I in my youth, I would ride for miles.
But to put this into context, both my grandfathers had strong hearts, lungs and livers which outlasted their prostate glands, my father didn't.
ISSUE 2 : DOES EXERCISE HELP?
All of my predecessors led lives that were physically more active than mine, but PCa got most of them in the end?
At the time I had my first bout of radiotherapy, my Radiology Consultant (No Names on this website) was undertaking a research project. He found that patients who got on with life and followed his instructions about taking regular exercise while receiving radiotherapy reported far less side effects than those who felt sorry for themselves and 'hid under a duvet'.
Now that suggests two alternative interpretations, firstly it might be the case that regular exercise, taken during radiotherapy, really does help and reduces the actual side effects. OR and it is a big OR, those blokes who can actually be bothered to take extra exercise, are intrinsically more possitive, feel better about themselves, and are accordingly likely to make light of any side effects, comparered with those negative so ad so's who hide under the duvet?
So basically I haven't got a bloody clue?
But I know one thing, possitive thinking is beneficial, on the one hand it might be that enthusiastically following a reccomended regime of exercise might really minimise side effects, alternativelly it might be that the possitive frame of minf makes light of the side effects?
So in conclussion I know that at this time of year it isn't easy, on a cold, wet rainy day, it isn't easy to go out for a run, jog, walk or bike ride. But I know that whenever I do I always feel better about myself and the PCa seems less of a problem.
:)
Dave
Edited by member 08 Jan 2016 at 02:59
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