Changing Course: Prostate Cancer and Life on the Road

By Ken Griffey Sr.

I'm no stranger to being on the road. For about 20 years, I traveled the country – and the world – playing a game that required intense concentration, practice, and both physical and mental strength. Playing professional baseball wasn't always glamorous. We'd spend hours, even days, on a tour bus away from our families and our homes, working hard to make our fans proud of the players they idolized. In those days, I like to think we brought happiness and excitement to those in the stadium and watching at home.

Many years after retiring my bat for good, I'm back on the road. My son, Ken Griffey Jr., and I are teammates once more. But this time, we have a different goal: to help men win against prostate cancer. The key here is to help men and their loved ones realize we cannot stay silent about our health. It’s a principle that has guided my adult life, especially after I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Yearly physicals were routine for me and my teammates, and we were lucky to have doctors who kept our health in check. During these annual tests, I was adamant about having a prostate exam. My family has a deep history of prostate cancer: the disease claimed the lives of four of my uncles. After seeing the impact on her brothers, my mother insisted that I make prostate exams a priority.

In 2006, my doctor shared the news I dreaded for years: I had prostate cancer. Despite my preparations, I was still unprepared for that diagnosis. I had always been very willing to speak up about prostate cancer – until I had it myself. For the first time, I couldn’t find my voice.

I’m fortunate that my doctor caught my prostate cancer early, and that I responded well to treatment. But I learned that not every man will be so lucky, and there are times when prostate cancer advances and becomes life threatening. For these men, staying silent can cost them their lives.

Prostate cancer has touched so many around me: my uncles, close friends, and — most recently — my younger brother. For the first time in years, I felt a renewed commitment to hitting the pavement. I wanted to share my story with other men: both those who are having a similar experience, and those who are resistant to talk about “below the belt” health issues. And in 2016, I began a nationwide tour with Bayer’s Men Who Speak Up program to encourage men to talk about advanced prostate cancer, as the disease can have more serious consequences and become fatal as it progresses.

I’ve traveled to 17 local communities in the past year, and I’ve heard moving stories from men and their loved ones who have been affected by prostate cancer. The strong bonds I’ve formed with this community, my modern-day dream team, are powerful reminders that the work we are doing to educate others is much needed.

Although I’ve learned so much during the past year, these top 4 points always rise to the top. Pay it forward by sharing this information with your loved ones and local community.

1. A family history of prostate cancer increases your risk.

Men who have a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer are at about double the risk of getting the disease, compared to the average man. It’s important to share your family history with your doctor.

2. Prostate cancer isn’t always confined to the prostate.

In some men, prostate cancer spreads (or “metastasizes”) beyond the prostate gland to other areas of the body, including the bones. This form of progressive disease can cause symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty walking or sleeping, unexplained pain, or difficulty doing normal activities – many of which often don’t emerge until the disease has advanced.

3. Staying silent about prostate cancer can be deadly.

More than 26,000 American men will die from prostate cancer in 2017, according to the American Cancer Society. That’s about 72 men per day. Reporting symptoms to your doctor can have a big impact on your treatment and disease management plan.

4. Support is available in many forms.

No one should face prostate cancer alone. Caregivers, including family and friends, can provide both practical and emotional support for daily challenges. Patient support groups and local community events are also available around the country and are great sources for educational information.