Father, son, share cancer victory

Last modified: Friday, May 4, 2007 8:35 PM CDT

Father, son, share cancer victory

Special to the Herald - “Like father, like son” is a famous cliché describing qualities passed down from one generation to another.

Dr. Fred Cook, 83, and his oldest son Paul, 58, share many personality traits and interests.

They are both music lovers, piano players, health care professionals, thoughtful listeners, and prostate cancer survivors.

They are this year’s honorary cancer survivors for the 12th annual Chippewa Relay for Life planned for July 28.

“Dr. Fred,” as he’s been affectionately referred to throughout his life, has been retired from a career as an anesthesiologist at St. Joseph’s Hospital since 1986. Paul, a registered nurse, is the Development Director for Community Health Partnership.

Shortly after retiring, Fred was diagnosed with prostate cancer, using a new screening test which measured the prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. His doctor recommended a biopsy which was positive for cancer. He had his prostate removed and because a repeat PSA showed there was still cancer present, he had 30 radiation treatments the following year.

Fred has had a follow up annual PSA screening which has shown no signs of cancer in 17 years. He and his wife Barb have recently moved back to the Chippewa Falls area and area continuing to enjoy a healthy and active retirement close to their family.

Fred’s three sons, Paul, Dave and Steve, Paul knew their risk of prostate cancer was doubled because of their dad’s diagnosis. Paul has been having PSA tests since age 45 and the last one, in December of 2006 showed a significant increase.

He saw a urologist who did additional testing to determine if a biopsy was needed. Even though his exam showed no other symptoms, his doctor suggested a biopsy because of the elevated PSA test and a family history of prostate cancer.

The biopsy showed cancer, so after considering several options for treatment, Paul decided to have the prostate removed surgically. He wanted to know whether it had spread outside of the prostate, which would dictate whether additional treatment was needed.

Paul’s surgery was successful, and the pathology reports were “clean” meaning that no spread outside of the prostate was detected. At this time he is considered cancer free, meaning no chemotherapy or radiation is recommended. Like his father, Paul will monitor his PSA annually.

This good news was made possible by a simple screening test that detected a change, and the surgery that removed the cancer before it had spread outside the prostate.

Paul’s brothers, Dr. Steven Cook, 54, and Dr. David Cook, 56, both had PSA’s done after his cancer was diagnosed. Having more than one first degree relative with prostate cancer doubles their risk factor. Their initial PSA’s were low, but they will continue to screen annually for any changes.

Fred has six adult grandsons who also share their father and grandfather’s love of music. There are new screening tests being developed that have been shown to be even more reliable and effective. These young men will benefit from the research that is improving early detection and the certain knowledge that in the Cook family, it has been a lifesaving gift.

More than $1 million has been raised at the Chippewa Relay in the past 12 years. This even supports the prevention, education, research and assistance to cancer patients and their families provided by the American Cancer Society.

Anyone interested in learning more about this year’s Chippewa Relay for Life can come to the team kickoff at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 7, at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls. Call Wynne Cook, team captain chair, at 723-8428 for more information.