Stay in shape with FIT Together in your own living room!
Mark and Kathy Baldridge are avid birders, and as a result, frequent visitors to “Deep Southern Arizona” from their home in University Place, Washington. You may have seen them in an AnCan Group – we’ve been supporting the Baldridges since 2021.
Recently Mark mentioned an at home exercise program in a group, so we encouraged him to tell us more so all AnCan’rs living with cancer could participate… with or without their care partner.
This October 17th, AnCan will participate in the OHSU-Fred Hutch Prostate Cancer Summit. Dr. Kerri Winters is also speaking, and Dr. E (Eleni Efstathiou), the new Chief of Genitourinary Cancer at OHSU, has already set up a time for us to meet. We’ll be writing about the Summit closer to the date. (rick davis)
Back in high school, I did multiple pushups before I went to bed. Fast-forward 50 years and I was unable to do a single pushup. Over the years, I’d fooled myself into thinking I was in ‘decent shape’ because I took long walks several times a week. The truth was that after being diagnosed with osteoporosis, 24 months of Hormone Therapy and a lack of upper body exercise, my overall strength had significantly declined.
Fortunately, I discovered an online exercise program FIT Together for cancer survivors and their partners. FIT Together is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 under the leadership of Dr. Kerri Winters-Stone and Jessica Sitemba. Dr. Winters-Stone has a PhD in Human Performance and has been conducting research in exercise oncology for 20 years. She has run over 15 clinical trials funded by NIH and cancer non-profits. I have participated in two of Dr. Winters-Stone’s clinical trials run through Oregon Health Sciences University – OHSU.
I’ve attended FIT Together classes for a year and can attest that the instructors are excellent. They demonstrate each exercise and then give tips to ensure each participant correctly performs the exercise. The instructors individualize and tailor movements and exercises to accommodate each person’s needs—no matter what the person’s fitness level. For instance, pushups can be performed in many different ways (e.g. against a wall/desk/chair or on hands and knees/feet).
The classes are held twice per week at various times virtually. I love the convenience of performing these exercises at home and look forward to each class. All you need for the classes are dumbbells, a resistance band, stretch strap and an exercise mat. The cost for this equipment is quite reasonable—less than $75.
There are several classes to choose from: strength training, strength/cardio and an exercise class for couples. Classes are very reasonably priced— around $5 per session for a 12 week/24 session class… even less if two of you join together.
I participate in the strength training class and physically feel much better about myself. It’s been really encouraging to see that I’ve slowly gained upper body strength. While I still can’t do a pushup on my hands and toes, I can perform 12 pushups on my hands and knees—I’m on my way to performing a full pushup.
I highly recommend these classes and hope to see some of you in a class—you won’t be disappointed!
A relatively new year, new guidelines, and new tools for prostate cancer screening and monitoring.
In recent months, the AUA updated its 2023 guidelines specifically for early detection of prostate cancer (https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/early-detection-of-prostate-cancer-guideline). Along with those guidelines, two other organizations have updated or developed additional tools that are beneficial to all men, regardless of where they are on the prostate cancer journey (or even those not yet on a journey).
Consider them collectively as an introduction to screening (NCCN), an AS-focused source (ASPI), and a comprehensive guide for early-stage prostate cancer.
I would not consider any of them as a standalone product for all the information a man might need. The NCCN guidelines are focused on screening and are relatively basic. ASPI’s product is focused on AS, but some may find the scope and scale of information a bit overwhelming without someone to advise and assist them. The appendix at the end of the pamphlet would be exceedingly useful for anyone beginning their prostate cancer journey. Finally, the AUA guidelines are broader and developed more for urologists.
Back in mid-2012, the US Preventative Services Task Force first made the following recommendation with an associated DGrade:
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against prostate-specific antigen (PSA)–based screening for prostate cancer.
At the time, prostate cancer advocates objected strongly, warning it would result in many more men diagnosed de novo metastatic, and ultimately more disease specific deaths.
Sadly, we have seen this manifested, especially with respect to younger men. AnCan clearly sees the trend along with a lack of support for the particular needs expressed by younger men living with advanced prostate cancer.
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2nd Thursday of each month at 8 pm Eastern in The Barniskis Room (222-583-973)
AnCan frequently recommends second opinions on prostate cancer and genitourinary (GU) pathology slides – whether it be from biopsy, surgery or another protocol. Our recommended providers are:
Predicting Radiation Side Effects – PROSTOX Webinar with interesting updates!
Last year, we presented a webinar on predicting Prostate Cancer Radiation Treatment side effects with PROSTOX before treatment begins. By analyzing your unique genetics, you can make smarter, more informed decisions to avoid side effects and safeguard your quality of life for years to come.
PROSTOX Standard (previously PROSTOX CFRT+) predicts late grade ≥2 toxicity from conventionally fractionated (CFRT) or moderately hypofractionated (MHFRT) radiation therapy for patients with localized prostate cancer. Together with PROSTOX Ultra, which is already available for patients considering stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), the PROSTOX portfolio now provides risk assessment across a broader range of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) types. We’ll discuss the updates and other patient concerns, such as insurance coverage and questions to bring to your doctors.
Mark and Kathy Baldridge are avid birders, and as a result, frequent visitors to “Deep Southern Arizona” from their home in University Place, Washington. You may have seen them in an AnCan Group – we’ve been supporting the Baldridges since 2021.
