Documentary Explores Men’s Feelings about Prostate Cancer; Lets Fellow Patients Know They Are Not Alone

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has released a first-of-its-kind documentary that chronicles the emotions and issues faced by prostate cancer patients. Men’s Retreat was filmed during a three-day period when 12 patients and survivors were assembled in Washington D.C. Their discussions are frank and from the heart and will help other men diagnosed with the disease and their caregivers understand that they are not alone.

“PCF is grateful to those who participated in the making of this one-of-a-kind documentary. Their courage and openness is a service to many”

“We hope this documentary will serve as an important resource for patients and families affected by prostate cancer,” said Dan Zenka, senior vice president of communications for PCF. “All too often, men shut down and refuse to talk about the issues surrounding prostate cancer and their personal experiences in navigating through treatment. This documentary will enable other men to ‘peek through the window’ and realize that much of what they are going through and feeling is shared by others. We hope it will provide validation, encouragement and hope for those who view it.”

Zenka is a Stage IV prostate cancer patient who, in a touch of irony, was diagnosed two years after joining the Prostate Cancer Foundation. Despite annual exams and PSA tests, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease. Three days after his diagnosis, he started blogging about the disease and his treatments, including a radical prostatectomy, seven weeks of radiation therapy and two years of hormone therapy. The blog, www.mynewyorkminute.org, provides an open forum of discussion for men across the globe.

Men’s Retreat is 85 minutes in length and features a special discussion between the 12 participants and Andy von Eschenbach, former director of the National Cancer Institute and former Commissioner of the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration. Von Eschenbach is a prostate cancer survivor. The Documentary can be viewed in its entirety or in individual chapters on Zenka’s cancer blog.

“PCF is grateful to those who participated in the making of this one-of-a-kind documentary. Their courage and openness is a service to many,” added Zenka.

The documentary is dedicated to the memory of Trip Casscells, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, who participated in the film and provided the location for the retreat. Just weeks after filming, Trip lost his 10-year battle to advanced prostate cancer. His participation in five clinical trials helped pave the way for new treatments for many patients.

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s largest philanthropic source of support for accelerating the most promising research for better treatments and cures for prostate cancer. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more than $520 million and provided funding to more than 1,600 research programs at nearly 200 cancer centers and universities in 15 countries. PCF advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more efficient investment of governmental research funds for transformational cancer research. Its efforts have helped produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer. More information about the PCF can be found at www.pcf.org.