Rocket Man Does It Again
- Elton John’s new album, The Lockdown Sessions, reached #1 in the UK. The singer took to Instagram to thank his fans and collaborators.
- The album featured collaborations with some of the biggest names in the music business. It was all recorded remotely or under social distancing precautions during the pandemic.
- Elton John was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017. He was treated with surgery, and he has been performing, recording, and thriving since.
The legendary singer took to Instagram to thank his fans and share what music has meant to him after a turbulent year of isolation and uncertainty.
Read MoreJohn thanked his "amazing fans" and "everyone who helped bring this album to life," expressing gratitude for the opportunity to make music with "some of (his) favourite artists."
View this post on Instagram
Elton John’s Prostate Cancer Journey
John was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2017, and subsequently was treated with surgery to remove his prostate. Though the surgery was successful, it led to complications and ten days after his procedure John got an infection. John later revealed he spent 11 days in the hospital fighting for his life. "I didn't really know how close to death I was," John wrote in his autobiography Me. "I was ill because I kept saying, 'Please let me get well. I want to see my kids.' But I had tubes coming out of every part of my body, and it took me seven weeks to recover from that when I went home."
But after the iconic singer recovered, he didn’t let cancer slow him down he continued on with his touring. John even admitted that he wore a diaper while performing on stage after his operation.
Prostate Cancer Basics
The singer was 70-years-old when he received his diagnosis. Prostate cancer typically develops in men aged 65 or older.
Other than skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men. This type of cancer begins in the prostate gland, which is located between the rectum and the bladder; the prostate produces the fluid that nourishes sperm. This cancer often grows slowly, so it might take years to spread and become life-threatening. As a result, screening for prostate cancer is critical, especially as men get older.
50% of Men Aren't Concerned About Prostate Cancer and 40% Have Delayed Doctor Visits During Covid-19.
Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Age is one of the most significant risk factors for prostate cancer risk. Here are some of the others:
- Race (Black men face a higher risk of prostate cancer, as well as a higher rate of death from the disease.)
- Family History
- Genetics (If you have close male relatives who have had this cancer, you should start screening for it at an earlier age.)
Strategies to decrease your prostate cancer risk:
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising regularly
- Cutting out simples sugars and unhealthy fats
- Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
Prostate cancer as John shows us is a survivable disease. And by taking proactive steps, you can keep ahead of the curve when it comes to your health.
10 things all men should be doing to minimize their prostate cancer risk
Prostate Cancer Screening
In his memoir, John wrote, "They discovered [the cancer] during a check-up. … My doctor noticed the level of prostate- specific antigens in my blood had gone up slightly and sent me to an oncologist for a biopsy. It came back positive."
Prostate cancer is typically detected via prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. This screening test measures PSA in the blood, which may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. For men with an average risk of prostate cancer, it's advised by the American Cancer Society (ACS) to begin screening at 50 for the disease; men with an elevated risk of developing prostate cancer should start screening at 45.
Dr. James Brooks, a urologic oncologist at Stanford Medicine, says in an earlier interview that this is a slow-growing cancer. "Prostate cancer, even when aggressive, is typically slow-growing," he says. "So the possibility that it could become fatal past the age of 70 is quite low. Still, whether you continue to screen past age 70 is completely up to you and your doctor. In prostate cancer, there are sometimes differing viewpoints and this is one of those times."
"However, if you are at high-risk (meaning you have a family history or are African-American) many doctors say you should have an initial screening well before 50some recommend starting at age 40because the risk is about two to three times higher than average," says Dr. Brooks.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
