Disclosure: This post was sponsored by PCF.org. All opinions and experiences are my own.
I have moments where I can’t believe I’m an adult and responsible for an entire household. I still feel like I have so much growing up to do. And then there are moments where I can clearly see just how much time has passed and these past two years I’ve felt it nearly every day. As I’m growing up, the generation before me is growing old, and that comes with so much to think about, especially when they receive news from their healthcare provider that is unexpected.
My uncle was (and is) a healthy 60 something year old. A year ago he went in for his annual visit to the doctor where they take blood and typically send him home with good news and to come back in a year. Except this time the doctor asked him to go for additional tests and after a few weeks we received the news- he had prostate cancer. We weren’t new to cancer, as we had four family members previously diagnosed- two with breast cancer, one with thymus cancer, and one with leukemia. It’s an awful disease that gives you so much to think about and reflect on, while keeping you on your toes at every scan and test that must be done.
Share your Story and Make a Difference
What we quickly realized with prostate cancer was there was very little support for caregivers. While just about everyone reached out with information when my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and we had therapists and social workers at our beck and call during her treatment, we had little resources for my uncle and his diagnoses. Thankfully the Prostate Cancer Foundation has seen an increasing need for support for prostate cancer patients and their caregivers and has launched an initiative to celebrate and honor them this Valentine’s season. The Prostate Cancer Foundation is looking to encourage people to share their story and experiences with prostate cancer on pcf.org/true to help others who are navigating this diagnosis for the first time. When you share your experience on this site, you are not only helping others navigate this stressful time in their lives, but you also have the chance to receive a curated care package from Kristen Bell.
1 in 9
Did you know that 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime? For all fathers, uncles, grandfathers, brothers, and sons, you can make a difference by sharing your story on True Campaign. My uncle’s diagnosis, while scary, is a slow-moving form of cancer. At this point, his doctors are closely monitoring him and he does not need to receive treatment yet, but we will be reading others’ stories and sharing our own experience with prostate cancer on PCF.org.