Association to host prostate cancer conference

7^th annual state-wide conference to focus on living, thriving with prostate cancer hosted by Prostate Cancer Support Assn. of NM

Let’s say you’ve just been diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is news about one in seven men in the U.S. will receive in their lifetimes.

So, how and when will you inform friends and family about this news?

Will you consider adapting your diet in accordance with emerging research?

How might you alter your exercise and fitness plan?

How will you go about learning the most effective ways to communicate with the medical professionals you’ll surely be visiting on a regular basis?

Will you stop and think about how this new situation could affect travel plans?

After a successful course of treatment how alert will you be for potential changes in your condition?

           These are just some of the topics that will be covered during the seventh annual all-day conference hosted by the Prostate Cancer Support Assn. of New Mexico (www.pcsanm.org). The free event will be held from 9 a.m.- 4:45 p.m., Nov. 10, at Sandia Prep, 532 Osuna Rd. NE, 87113.

           “It is important, especially for newly diagnosed men, to view prostate cancer not as an end,” says Steve Denning, board chair of PCSANM. “Our group tries to view a prostate cancer diagnosis as a beginning. It’s a point when the affected man and his family should start taking control.

           “Information about prostate cancer isn’t hard to find,” Denning says. “However, affected men, in particular, often need some help and urging to get this vital self-education task started.

           “That’s why this year’s conference will present suggestions for a kind of lifestyle blueprint men can apply to live and hopefully thrive during their prostate cancer treatment and after,” Denning says.

           New Mexico-based doctors and other health professionals along with some from around the country will speak at this year’s conference. Jan Esparza, Presbyterian MD Anderson Cancer Center, will offer thoughts about diet and nutrition.

            Dr. Ken Smith, medical oncology/hematology, Presbyterian Medical Group, will talk about bone health for prostate cancer patients. Molly Adler, Sex Therapy New Mexico, will address sexual issues after treatment. Dr. Fabio Almeida, of Phoenix (AZ) Molecular Imaging, will focus on being alert for potential recurrence after initial treatment.

           There also will be a panel discussion during which members of the PCSANM talk about what worked and didn’t work for them when informing friends, family, coworkers and others about their prostate cancer.

Statistics provided by the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) indicate that about 1,000 New Mexico men were newly diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. Statistics also show that African-American men are more likely (one in six men vs. one in seven) to contract this cancer than other ethnic groups.