When cancer hits close to home

No one ever wants to hear the C word. It’s one of those moments you think will always happen to someone else, until it doesn’t. For me, that moment came last winter when my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Suddenly, it wasn’t just a statistic or a headline—it was my family.

On March 4th, 2025,  Dad began his five weeks of treatment. We were fortunate to have him stay with us during that time, and I found myself in a new role—not just as his daughter, but as his support system. My goal was simple: to help him stay happy, healthy, and strong. That meant finding ways to keep his spirits up, making nourishing meals, and even sneaking in “projects” around the house (because if you know my dad, you know he’s happiest when he’s fixing something).

On April 7th, we celebrated a moment I’ll never forget—Dad rang the bell to mark the end of his treatment. Just weeks later, he officially retired at the end of June. Since then, his focus has been on maintaining a healthy diet and, most importantly, keeping his body moving.

Why Movement Matters—For Men Too

As someone who specializes in pelvic health, I often talk about women’s pelvic floors. But here’s something we don’t say enough: men have pelvic floors too. And those muscles respond to conditions, treatment, and disease just like women’s do.

During cancer treatment, maintaining strength and bone health becomes even more important. Fatigue is real and often overwhelming, but gentle movement and resistance training can help reduce side effects, preserve muscle mass, and support long-term health.

For men, especially those navigating prostate cancer, the pelvic floor plays a role not only in bladder and bowel control but also in sexual health. Exercise—done safely and with guidance—can make a difference in recovery and quality of life.

The Reality and the Hope

I cherish the time I had with my dad during his treatment. Watching someone you love face something so heavy is not easy. There were hard days, and there were days filled with gratitude for simply being together.

The truth is, 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. That statistic is no longer just a number to me—it has a face, a story, and a bell-ringing moment.

If you have a dad, a brother, a partner, or a friend—encourage them to take their health seriously. Movement matters. Nutrition matters. Support matters.

My Takeaway

Hearing the C word shook me, but it also reminded me of the resilience of the human body and spirit. My dad’s journey has fueled my passion even more to spread the message: whether male or female, young or old, your pelvic health and overall strength deserve attention.

So let’s keep encouraging the men in our lives to move, to nourish their bodies, and to never underestimate the power of staying strong—even when life throws its hardest challenges.

References:

Canadian Cancer Society. (2024). Prostate cancer statistics. Retrieved from https://cancer.ca/en/cancer-information/cancer-types/prostate/statistics

Statistics Canada. (2023). Prostate cancer: A bane for men. Retrieved from https://www.statcan.gc.ca/o1/en/plus/6967-prostate-cancer-bane-men

Srivastava, V., et al. (2023). Pelvic floor muscle training for prostate cancer patients: A scoping review. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1191508. Retrieved from https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1191508/full