Metastatic hormone resistant prostate cancer (mHRPC) is defined as prostate cancer that has spread from its original location to other parts of the body. One of many options for treating metastatic prostate cancer is hormone therapy, which aims to lower the testosterone production levels. While there are other options to reduce testosterone production, nothing can guarantee that a man is prostate cancer free just because he has undergone such treatments. When prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, men should seek out treatment that can slow and/or stop cancer growth, control the pain and other symptoms, and extend one’s survival.
Symptoms of mHRPC vary. Some people do not even have symptoms of mHRPC but physicians will discover the metastasis in tests and x-rays. However, when symptoms of metastatic cancer arise, the type and frequency of the symptoms will depend on the size and location of the metastasis.
If prostate cancer becomes hormone resistant, that means the disease is not responding to the hormone therapy treatment. This kind of information can send a man’s mind into remission. Dealing with prostate cancer is difficult and frightening enough, but once informed that the cancer has spread and is not responding to hormone therapy, additional support and hope is necessary.
“Black America must become knowledgeable about fast moving developments and identify opportunities to reduce the current epidemic, otherwise this lack of knowledge could worsen our condition,” says Prostate Health Education Network president Thomas A. Farrington.
Farrington is also lead patient advocate on the advanced prostate cancer Dream Team sponsored by Stand Up to Cancer (www.standup2cancer.org). He is tasked with outreaching to African-American men with advanced prostate cancer to consider participating in the Dream Team Project. PHEN also partners with churches nationwide for its Annual Father’s Day Rally against Prostate Cancer. During regular church services, prostate cancer survivors within each congregation, along with family members of those who have lost loved ones to the disease, will be recognized and join hands in prayer for healing.
PHEN will also host prostate health educational symposiums within partnering churches in six different cities nationwide on Saturday, June 15th as a part of its congregational education and awareness outreach. The agenda will focus on healthy men, men newly diagnosed with prostate cancer and men with recurring and advanced prostate cancer. All family members are invited to attend and support Black men nationwide.
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