joel t nowak, m.a., m.s.w. director of advocacy & advanced prostate cancer programs for malecare...
TRANSCRIPT
Joel T Nowak, M.A., M.S.W.Director of Advocacy & Advanced Prostate Cancer Programs for Malecare
Survivor of four cancers including Thyroid, Kidney, Melanoma and Advanced (metastatic) Prostate Cancer
Joel @Malecare.orgMalecare.org
The ProblemStudies have shown that men are dying nearly five years earlier than women.
This difference is even more pronounced for African American men
In addition to a shorter lifespan, men are almost twice as likely as women to die of heart disease.
Prostate Cancer- A Killer of Men
Prostate Cancer will strike 1 in 6 men
Prostate cancer is the second largest cancer killer of men in the U.S.
33,720 men will die of prostate cancer in 2011 - ACS
This number is growing each year
Towards A Solution
Become an Empowered Patient
The TruthOften we hear broad statements that are asserted with such authority that we assume that there is real scientific research behind them
Too often we find that this may not be the case.
An Empowered PatientWe all can be patients, but we must learn to become empowered patients
Empowered patients are those who become 100% partners in their care decisions with their doctors
Become the CEO of your medical care
How to Be An Empowered Patient
Go to the best possible doctors at the best possible health facility, we have many in NYC
Educate yourself about your disease.
Finding the Right DoctorCancer care is big business for the doctor and the hospital
You are hiring a professional, so get different opinions from different doctors
Finding The Right DoctorAsk questions about your disease and about their treatment goals.
Does the doctor share your values and your goals?
Finding the Right DoctorAsk them about their experience treating men with prostate cancer
What about off label drug use and clinical trials?
Most important question is, After I listen to your treatment plan, may I choose what I believe is best for me?
Finding the Right DoctorFind out how you can communicate with them and does this system work for you?
Will they permit you to tape an office visit and bring a friend with you?
What is their philosophy on pain management?
Managing Your Doctor & Insurance Company
Make yourself human to your doctor. Give them your life story and make sure they know that you are loved and cared for by others.
Let your insurance company know you are a human being and that you will fight when necessary to preserve your life.
How To Be An Empowered Patient
Face to face & on-line support groups
Malecare.orgCall : 1-800-4 cancer Ask questions of your doctors and other survivors
Use the internet (Web Savvy Patient by Andrew Schorr
How To Be An Empowered Patient
Listen To Your BodyHave a goal for everydayFinish unfinished business and eliminate stress from today
Find a positive in your diagnosis
Making DecisionsDecisions need to be made about treatments
There are many optionsThey all have positives and negatives
There are no automatic correct answers
Making DecisionsStatistics are important only when you are trying to make a decision.
Once you have made your choices the only statistic that matters is the statistic of one, YOU
Making DecisionsWhen making treatment decisions remember that your cancer is unique just like you: you are unique.
Take your time to make decisions, understand the upside and the possible downside of each treatments.
Making DecisionsAlways get 2nd and even 3rd opinions
Talk with other survivors and ask them their experiences and feelings
However, remember we are each individuals with different values
Gleason Grade
Living with CancerYou did not choose to have cancer, but you do.
Cancer is something you have, it is not who you are
Stay in the present – the further out we go the more stressful
Living with CancerYou always have choices, choose to always be positive
This has to be a very conscious decision.
Interrupt negative thoughts – your brain can only handle one thought at a time
Living with CancerWhen you are comfortable with a decision, NEVER look back.
Remember, you made the best decision you could make. There is never room for should’ves or could’ves.
Living with CancerYou can be angry and depressed today, but tomorrow decide to accept your situation and make the best of it.
When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.
Live your life today
Living with CancerGet second & third opinionsGet copies of all your medical records
Read them and understand them
Ask questions and ask more questions
Living with CancerWrap yourself in a blanket of love Surround yourself with positive people
Learn how to receive from others – receiving can be a gift to others
Let others take care of you
Living with CancerBe honest about your feelings and share them. Saying them out loud helps
Then consciously decide to move on and live your life
Don’t do what you can not do, but do what you can
Living with CancerLearn to say NOSet up a web page to report your progress
Living With CancerHaving cancer is NOT a punishment
Remember you are still alive- so live your life
Use what is working, don’t struggle with what isn’t working
Living with CancerGet those feel good endorphins circulating:
Exercise everyday for at least 30 mins.
Walk when you can (get a dog, I did)
Living with Cancer Epigenetics – The study of
environmental influences that can mitigate gene output
Stress is immunosuppressiveUse Psychotherapy & Anti- Depressants if needed
Use energy medicine – TiChi, Yoga prayer, biofeedback
Living with CancerUse support groups and your fellow survivors to share your experience, they know how you feel.
Avoid toxic people: Put a sign on your door that says:Don’t come in if you can not be
positive
Living with CancerYou are not any sicker or closer to death because you were diagnosed today.
Actually, being diagnosed can extend your life because you can now start the battle against your disease.
Living with CancerNever lose your faith Never lose your hopeBelieve in the strength of your prayers
Believe in the strength of your faith
Believe in miracles, they do happen
Take Home
Have A Happy and HEALTHY
Day
