Annual Health Conference Focuses on Enjoying Life Beyond Treatment for Prostate Cancer

 By Neil Armstrong

Photo contributed        Dr. Stacy Loeb is a Professor of Urology and Population Health at NYU Langone Health and the Manhattan Veterans Affairs, specializing in prostate cancer.

A diagnosis of prostate cancer and the ensuing treatment of it do not mean that a man cannot enjoy the rest of his life. The many ways in which he can do so will be explored at the upcoming free annual health conference of The Walnut Foundation titled Prostate Cancer Survivorship: Enjoying Life Beyond Treatment on Saturday, October 28, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. on Zoom.

 

The Foundation is a men’s health interest and prostate support group working with the Black community to identify the needs of Black men in the areas of health and related issues, and to provide a forum for discussion in a comfortable, safe and supportive environment. Black men are 76 percent more likely to get prostate cancer and 2.2 times more likely to die from it. If detected early, survival is nearly 100 per cent.

 

The conference brings experts in the field together with patients and patient advocates to improve understanding and best practices around prostate cancer care. The focus is on "survivorship" this year because the Foundation has found from its engagement with men in the community that many suffer with the aftereffects of treatment. They are treated but they need assistance with issues around incontinence, erectile dysfunction, sexuality and their relationships with their partners as well as maintenance issues.... What do I eat? How do I stay healthy? 

 

"This conference aims to equip men and their partners with the tools to ensure better health outcomes pre-diagnosis, while in treatment and post- treatment," says Anthony Henry, President of The Walnut Foundation. "Men have suffered in silence after a prostate cancer treatment and this conference is designed to provide the solutions to overcoming the challenges and enjoying life,” says Ken Noel, Executive Director.

 

Among the experts that will be participating are Dr. Daniela Wittmann, Associate Professor Emerita of Urology, University of Michigan; Dr. Andrew Matthew, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto; Dr. Stacy Loeb, Professor of Urology and Population Health; NYU School of Medicine; Nelly Faghani, PT, Pelvic Health Physiotherapist, Pelvic Health Solutions; Dr. Daniel Santa Mina, Associate Professor, Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto; and Dr. Mike Fraser, Director, Cancer Programs Implementation, Movember. A couple prostate cancer survivors will also share their lived experience.

 

Registration for the conference, which is sponsored by Movember, is http://bit.ly/WalnutConference2023.