The month of September is known as Prostate Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is located in a man’s prostate, which is a walnut-shaped gland that is used to produce seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is a very scary, serious cancer, just like many, but is found commonly in older men. Prostate cancer, even though it is very scary, can also be caught early and can be cured, giving families great hope. The Prostate Cancer Foundation website is said that each year more than 29,000 men will die from this disease, and it is the second leading cause of cancer death of U.S. men. Prostate cancer is a very complex cancer that one in seven men are diagnosed with, varying from very aggressive to very slow growing forms. Finding the cancer early in your life, being younger and in shape means a larger chance of survival, especially in my dad’s and grandfather’s cases.

My dad, Jason Kuhl was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January of 2010 and had surgery in March. My dad was very young when they caught the cancer, and he has been cancer-free for six years. Being diagnosed with prostate cancer, or any cancer, is not only hard on the person, but also on the family, who is affected in many different ways. My grandfather, Dr. Wayne Kuhl, also had prostate cancer, but it was found a lot later than the time my dad’s was found and my family was very relieved that my dad’s was caught so early. Prostate cancer was definitely hard for my dad and for my family. Checkups, my mom being scared and not knowing what to do and especially hard for my dad. My brother and I were young enough that I did not know how bad cancer is and what it can lead to.

Being active, staying in shape and eating healthy are not ways to totally avoid cancer, but it does help you, your body and your family in the future. By staying active and eating healthy, it is easier to fight the cancer especially because your body is productive and able to fight it off. Surgery can be very invasive and requires your body to respond and recover. Recovery is helped if you are in good shape prior to the surgery. There have been many situations in which people have survived serious injuries and illnesses due to their physical stature prior to the incident. Cancer is a terrible disease that can strike anyone at any time, no matter their physical prowess. We can try to prepare our bodies as best as possible to fight this disease if acquired. The month of September is a month of happiness or sadness for many families whose loved ones have survived or sadly passed away due to this cancer.