Prostate Chronicles

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men - about 220,000 cases will be diagnosed this year. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Last spring when doctors told ideastream®’s David C. Barnett he has the disease he decided to use this very personal life event as a vehicle to do what David does so elegantly in his reporting for 90.3 WCPN and WVIZ/PBS… tell a story. This time, though, he is the subject of his story, but with a broader purpose.

By sharing his experience in this occasional online blog, David hopes to alert other men to the threat and provide information that may be helpful to anyone who gets the diagnosis. He’ll also share what he’s learning from other prostate cancer survivors, from medical experts in the field and from family and friends. David’s surgery takes place this week. We wish him a speedy recovery and appreciate his willingness to let us all in on his journey. --- David Molpus, Executive Editor, ideastream.

Prostate Chronicles - Chapter 1: Kings of Denial
Regional News Stories: Monday, August 18, 2008
Last spring when doctors told ideastream®’s David C. Barnett he has the disease he decided to use this very personal life event as a vehicle to do what David does so elegantly in his reporting for 90.3 WCPN and WVIZ/PBS… tell a story.

Prostate Chronicles - Chapter 2: Guys Get Nervous
Regional News Stories: Monday, August 25, 2008
ideastream reporter David C. Barnett had his prostate surgery last week and continues to write about his experience and recovery.

Prostate Chronicles - Chapter 3: Too Much Information
Regional News Stories: Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wow, this is just like Ben Casey or Doctor Kildare. I’m flat on my back on a hospital gurney being wheeled through a maze of corridors heading for an appointment with a surgical knife. Make that two surgical knives. But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

Additional Information:
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in America among men. Nearly a quarter million men will be diagnosed this year, about 1 in every 6. However, African American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world, 1 in 4.

While prostate cancer is the second-leading cause of male cancer-related death in the U.S., it’s over 90 percent curable if caught and treated early. Annual screening, usually a simple blood test, is considered critical to early detection as there are no noticeable symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

The National Cancer Foundation offers a guide on prostate cancer for men and their families. It can be read online, downloaded, or ordered in hard copy here.

Sources for this information and more:

Local
Cleveland Clinic
University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center
Akron General Hospital
The Gathering Place – support groups and programs for prostate cancer at their Beachwood, Ohio campus as well as Fairview Hospital and Parma Community General Hospital

National
National Prostate Cancer Coalition
Prostate Cancer Foundation