Triathletes promoting prostate cancer awareness

Tue, Jun 30, 2009    to del.icio.us

Spring Lake's Jim Walters is one of the lucky ones.

After getting a routine physical exam at the doctor's office at the age of 41 nearly two years ago, almost on a hunch, Walters also decided to get tested for prostate cancer.

"I decided to get a (Prostate-Specific Antigen test) done early at the suggestion of my wife, who's a family practice doctor. I'm adopted and I didn't know my family history for prostate cancer."

It was almost stunning when his PSA test came back with an abnormally high level of 8.8. The normal range is between 1-4. Thinking the test might have been thrown off by a long bike ride the day before, Walters had one more PSA test and two biopsies before his worst fears were confirmed — he had prostate cancer. The news sent shock waves to him and his wife, Molly Crissman, and the couple's three young children.

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Walters, a local emergency physician, had worked with patients in the emergency room suffering from complications of prostate cancer, but to be diagnosed himself with the condition "put things in a totally different perspective."

"Usually, it's not common in males until you're 50, but as I proved, it can happen earlier," Walters said. "Luckily, I had it detected early. I'm very, very fortunate."

There are thousands across American who aren't so lucky. According to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Fortunately, due to increased awareness and prevention, only one in 34 will die from the cancer.

Walters had surgery last May and made a 100 percent recovery — one of an estimated 1.8 million men in the United States who has survived the condition. He took baby steps after his surgery — from major rest, to light exercise, to steady training for his ultimate goal — to participate in the 2008 Grand Haven Triathlon.

He accomplished the feat in just eight weeks following his surgery, actually completing the course in a faster time than he expected. His time of 1 hour, 29 minutes, five seconds ranked him 11th in the 40-44 age group in the sprint triathlon.

Walters, now 43, only requires random blood work to ensure his cancer remains in remission. He'll mark another notch on his tremendous recovery on July 12, when he will participate again in the Triathlon — his third. He'll be joined at the event by Molly and his two sons, Sam and Ben, making it a family of triathletes.

"I've always been a runner, and I was into triathlons about 20 years ago, but I took a hiatus," Walters said. "I just started back at it about three years ago. My wife did her first one last year."

It's one thing to complete the grueling test of swimming, biking and running, but Walters will be striving for much more. He'll once again be raising money for Athletes for a Cure, a fundraising and awareness program to assist individual athletes in their effort to raise money for better treatments and a potential cure for prostate cancer. For the first time, Athletes for a Cure will be associated with the Grand Haven Triathlon.

"There's a link right on the triathlon Web site, and it shows the people who are in Athletes for a Cure," Walters said. "It tracks everything from how much people have raised to how much Grand Haven has generated."

Walters raised an impressive $1,700 a year ago, a figure he said has a lot to do with his sentimental story and his incredible recovery.

"It may be tough, but I'm hoping I can top that. I've listed my goal at $2,000," he said.

Walters will be one of five raising money for Athletes for a Cure through the triathlon, which includes another prostate cancer survivor, Donald Inman. Through Monday evening, the group had raised over $2,500.

For more information on the triathlon or to visit Athletes for a Cure, visit www.grandhaventri.com.