It has been almost a year since Starland CAO Ross Rawlusyk was diagnosed with prostate cancer. And while he waits to hear if he is free and clear of cancer, he decided to grow a ‘mo.
    Rawlusyk is participating in Movember, and in a few short weeks has an impressive moustache. The focus of Movember is to raise awareness of male cancers, something that he knows first hand.
    “It is a scary word to hear,” said Rawlusyk.
    Almost exactly a year ago, he had a routine physical, and his blood work showed high prostate–specific antigen (PSA) levels. His doctor directed him to an oncologist in Red Deer for follow up. After a number of tests, a biopsy, and bone scan, they all pointed towards prostate cancer. It was beyond shocking.
    “When your illness triggers a critical illness claim, the word critical bothered me, that pretty much says it all,” he said. “It was serious enough that it warranted that kind of attention from an insurance perspective.”
    Like many diagnosed with a serious health concern, he began doing research into treatments. While there are surgical treatments, because of the possibility that some adjacent tissue could be affected, doctors recommended treating the cancer with radiation.
    Just before last Christmas, he began hormone therapy to prepare his body for radiation treatment. On March 10 be began radiation treatment in Edmonton. He had 39 days of treatment, and reacted well.
    “I am in to it for almost a year now, and I haven’t heard the ‘all clear’ yet,” he said
     He has been undergoing regular testing to monitor his recovery.
    “So far so good, and it’s just one more step along that recovery trail,” he said.  
    Since his diagnosis and treatment, he has focused on a healthier lifestyle. He is not shy about talking about his health ordeal, or raising awareness of cancer and early detection.
 “I don’t think we do give it (male cancer) a lot of attention,” he said.
    Earlier this fall, he worked with Starland FCSS to bring The Man Van to Morrin for area men to have their PSA tests completed, and about 47 guys took the simple test, compatible numbers to Drumheller. He says this plays a role in early detection.
    “It is a simple blood test, it may not be 100 per cent accurate, but all the doctors I saw says it is still the best way to find out early if there’s a problem,” he said. “I’m pretty glad I did mine.”
Another part of raising awareness is his participation in Movember. He’s growing a ‘mo, along with his future son-in -law, and his father, who has also faced cancer issues.
    “I want to give a little back,” he said. “I don’t know how many times I have heard this but if you can catch it early before it spreads into your spine, bone tissue or other organs, you have a heck of lot better chance at survival.
    “I have talked to a number of guys who have been through what I have been through and they are still around,” he said.
To follow his moustache progress or to donate to his campaign go to www.ca.movember.com and search for Rawlusyk or his team, The Radiators. He has set a goal of raising $1,000 and is well on his way. To check out his mo-space and donate click here.