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Two and a half years ago, I held my father’s hand as I watched him leave this life at the young age of 60. My father, Bill Hoover, was a rather healthy, active man. He walked, played golf and was always on the go. He also took good care of himself by scheduling annual physicals and having check-ups, primarily for cancer since he lost his mother to colon cancer when he was a young child.
Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2004, and as a family, we did all we could to fight the disease. Despite our best efforts, his was extremely aggressive and he succumbed to cancer almost four years after his diagnosis. Losing Dad to this disease has changed all of our lives and we have done all that we can to keep his memory alive. He was a teacher in the Shikellamy School District, and we’ve given numerous scholarships in his name. We hold a charity event every year in his honor, and most importantly, we advocate for the early detection and prevention of this disease.
September is national Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and as an employee of the American Cancer Society, I would like to remind all dads, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, sons and husbands to be tested for this disease.
According to the American Cancer Society, men age 50 and older should discuss the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer testing with their health care providers and decide whether testing is right for them. Men at high risk, such as African - Americans or men who have a history of prostate cancer in close family members, should have this discussion at age 45. Men with several family members affected at a young age should have this discussion at age 40. Women, make sure the men in your family know the facts about this disease and talk with their doctors about their own personal risk. Call the American Cancer Society at (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org to learn more about how you and your loved ones can stay well by reducing their risk of the disease.
If you are moved to action from my story, then I feel my effort has been worthwhile and my father’s name will continue to be honored and remembered.
Angela Hoover-Brouse,
Lewisburg
