The Recipe of the Month Girl

We thought you might be interested in seeing The Recipe of the Month Girl Gail Etzler.

She's happy to be getting back to her active life style after a hip replacement surgery in April, now she has one on each side.

We look forward to your latest recipe.

Go girl!

Chemotherapy May Worsen End Of Life Quality

A new study by the Center for Research on End-Of-Life Care at Weill Cornell Medical College in NY reports surprising and unexpected results. In a study of 312 cancer patients given 6 months or less to live, even stronger patients that were given Chemo in the hope of improving survival time had worsened quality of life and no difference in survival time from those opting out of another round of end stage chemo.

If you have a loved one or friend that had treatment at this late stage you more than likely knew this already.

There is a time and place for everything. In the case of late stage cancer we have seen time and again the sad cycle of constipation, diarrhea nausea and other problems destroy quality of life. Hopefully this study will make the excruciating question all cancer patients with a short time to live ask themselves: "should I try another round of Chemo?" an easier decision. And, we have not even discussed the exorbitant cost of these treatments, a financial windfall for the medical establishment!

Some of the PAF Hikers at the Land's End to Baker Beach hike.

Successful Summit of Mt. Baker by the PAF Team

A 5 man climbing team backed by a five man support team and 2 professional guides reached the summit of 10,781' Mt Baker in North Cascades National Park on Wednesday, July 15th.

Unseasonably warm weather made the technical climb especially challenging because of collapsing snow and ice bridges and the danger of rock fall.

This year's Cancer Climb & Trek for Prostate Awareness climbing team consisted of Ken Malik the PAF founder and executive director from California, Darren Paul a sports medicine oriented chiropractor from British Columbia, John & Matt Loesing a father & son team from Southern California, and Steve Swindell from The Boston area.

Our support team was made up of Ralph Lake from Texas, Dave Massen from San Francisco, Ron MacConnell from New York, Rick Mohovich from New Jersey and Tom Lennon from San Francisco.

A special thanks to Mt Baker Mountain Guides for supplying Colin and Zac two great guides and Tristan who helped carry gear to base camp and back.  And also Ovenell's Ranch in Concrete, WA our "Official" headquarters. Last but not least: Darryl Loewen from Brish Columbia who provided major logistical support and a memorable kayak adventure down the Harrison River post-climb.

This was the 14th year for these Fundrasing expeditions to raise awareness about prostate health.

Thank you to all our supporters for their encouragement and support!

Can You Believe Clinical Research?

Recently Dr Richard Horton the editor in chief of Lancet and Dr Marcia Angell who holds the same position at the New England Journal of Medicine made surprising revelations for people in their positions. They both said that research published in their journals was unreliable at best, if not completely false.

Dr Horton went on to say "much of the scientific literature, perhaps half, may simply be untrue. Afflicted by studies with  small sample sizes, tiny effects, invalid exploratory analysis, and flagrant conflicts of interest, together with an obsession for pursuing fashionable trends of dubious importance. Science has taken a turn towards darkness."

Dr Angell voices a comparable concern. She says "it is simply no longer possible to believe much  of the clinical research that is published".

Strong words indeed from editors of 2 of the most respected medical journals anywhere! Aren't they concerned about their jobs? I guess they couldn't sleep good at night and had to clear their consciences. So, who can we trust?

More and more it appears one must be extremely discerning.

PAF hikers on the Temelpa Trail on the south side of Marin's Mt. Tamalpais

Proton Beam Radiation - Is it worth it?

The cost of Proton Beam radiation is twice as much as regular radiation (IMRT). And yet there has never been a study that definatively  compares the two procedures. 

This is typical of procedures for prostate cancer. There has never been a study comparing conventional interventions. 

Meanwhile the cost of treatments is continually on the rise.

Will the Medicare system be able to afford cancer treatments that are now in many

cases in excess of 6 figures. 

Cancer treatments are becoming more and more expensive. If success rates and reduced side effects are the result then the cost can be justified. We wonder if this the case.

What do you think?

Picture - PAF hikers at Sugarloaf State Park - Sonoma County, CA

What is the only Prostate cancer therapy that won't adversely affect your sex life?

Active Surveillance. Come find out more at May PAF meetings in Sonoma County. Tuesday May 12th & Thursday, May 14th. Visit www.prostateawarenessfoundation.org

For details!

Napa Valley Palisades hike by the PAF

Wild Flowers

The Labyrinth

The Palisades

Table Rock

Indian Paintbrush

The PAF has been reminding men for 

some time that those guys that have the most consistent exercise programs have the slowest disease progression. 

The PAF's regular  Monday hiking group completed a rugged, wilderness hike just 70 miles from San Francisco - the dreaded Palisades trail from Mt St Helena above Calistoga. This was a grueling 7 hour trek thru some of the most scenic country in the Wine Country. 

It's wildflower time in The Coastal Range. The weather was pushing 70 degrees and the filtered sunlight on a cloudy day made for ideal conditions.

Our group did this same hike last June in 100+ temperatures. We would not recommend this hike past May 1st