ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit 2016 in Parenting

So why did I go to Washington DC? Brian and I went to the Zero Prostate Cancer Summit.

“The Summit is the nation’s premier advocacy education and networking conference attracting more than 150 prostate cancer patients and survivors as well as their families, friends, and loved ones. The goal of the Summit is to bring those touched by prostate cancer together to raise awareness about prostate cancer within our federal government, our state legislatures, and our communities to stop future generations from pain and suffering from the disease.The event includes education seminars about prostate cancer research and patient access to care issues, a Congressional Reception, and discussions with key leaders in government about research, early diagnosis, and treatment for the disease. The Summit also includes networking and idea sharing among prostate cancer advocacy leaders on grassroots community building, the legislative process, fundraising, and communications.”

Some of you may know that 9 years ago this year my dad passed away from Prostate Cancer. He was diagnosed several years before that and went through surgery and hormone therapy. The prostate cancer came back and metastasized to his bones and his brain. He didnt tell a lot of people and I did not know. I got a call from the hospital that he was very sick and the next day he died in Hospice.
This is one of the issues of men and prostate health. They dont want to talk about the issue and unfortunately some men arent even aware of their prostate or PSA testing. We see all the education and support there is for Breast Cancer but thats because women are their own advocate. They support each other and talk about these things. Men are quiet, stubborn and keep things to themselves. Also men have this fear of a finger up their butt to check the prostate that could potentially save their life. As a woman this offends me for several reasons. First , us women have to go to the gynecologist as a teenager and usually have annual reviews where we are spread eagle on a table while a speculum is used to spread open our vagina, So really a quick finger up the butt that can preserve your pee flow, your ejaculation, your erections that you love so much and most importantly your life doesn’t seem so bad huh?!?! Men need to be their own advocate but until they can do that the ones who are doing it now are the daughters who lost their fathers or the sisters losing their brothers or the wives that are in it with their husbands.

The statistics of Prostate Cancer are as close to breast cancer as you can get. Breast cancer is to women what Prostate Cancer is to men. 1 in 7 men die of Prostate Cancer. Every 20 minute a man dies of Prostate Cancer so by the time you finished reading this another man will have succumbed to Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in men. African American men are 2 and a half more times likely to die from it. There is no symptoms of early stage prostate cancer which is why the PSA test is crucial for early detection; since usually early detection is a 100 percent survival rate. Unfortunately if caught late there is nothing that can be done and the cancer spreads.

This is why funding for prostate cancer is crucial. We need to find out the who, what, why, how and eradicate this disease. Eradication in the long run saves money in the short term. Going to this Summit made me realize there is politics behind EVERYTHING. Its unreal. very eye opening. Meeting with the senators staff was nerve wracking. Most seemed very responsive and supportive of signing on to Fund 90 million for research. Right now its at 80 mill. Its been that way for over 10 years. Theres still so much about the political side that I dont understand but as a person who lost a father to this I do understand. No one should go through this. I also learned a few things as who doesnt seem to care about the research and believe it or not being republican and democrat has nothing to do with it. Both McCain AND Obama both wanted to cut funding for Prostate Cancer research. But because of people like us it was not cut. The ironic thing is if every man lives long enough they are more thank likely to get prostate cancer!! This effects EVERYONE!!!

Storming the Hill was emotionally and physically exhausting. I was with a group from Florida and we learned a lot from them. Thanks to the 2 ladies there will NOW finally be a Prostate Cancer run right here in Jacksonville!! There was also another man in our group who has late stage 4 prostate cancer in his forties which is proving that Prostate Cancer is NOT an old mans disease anymore. For some reason men are getting this younger and younger and this research is crucial to founding out WHY and ENDING this now!! Everyone’s story is emotional and inspiring and my heart goes out to them.

After storming the hill we had a reception with wine and beer and food. A few senators and congressmen were there and special guess Ken Griffy SR who is a 10 year survivor and had 4 uncles die from it. Another Representative Frelinghuysen actually came and spoke with Brian and he was so happy to see a young man there and Brian mentioned how he wants to learn and educate so he can speak to his peers about this. Having young men, especially African American men, supporting this cause is crucial!

After the reception we rode back to the hotel and Brian and I got to ride in the back of the bus. I had several glasses of wine so my emotions were getting the best of me. I can talk about my dad in a robotic way now and kinda push my emotions to the side but with wine it was all over. I told Brian that, as tears started streaming down my face, that I never want Norah to go through what I went through. I also told Brian I never want him to hide things from her and to be open and honest.

Men- Get your PSA checked. Get your prostate checked. Be around for your Family

Women- Force them

For more information visit this site:
https://zerocancer.org/learn