Sep. 1--HICKORY -- When Hani Nassar was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he went straight to the Internet and began to collect information about the disease.
That course of action -- getting all the facts first -- helped Nassar make a decision about treatment.
Now he wants to help others go through the same process as the recently-named head of the Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Educational Support Group, an offering of the American Cancer Society.
Nassar describes his reaction to his diagnosis in February 2007 as non-emotional.
"I had no reaction and I didn't tell my wife for the first couple of weeks," he said.
Instead, he spent that time researching his options -- getting online not only for information, but also for opinions from people who had battled the disease. He settled on having surgery at Duke University Hospital after attending a forum about prostate cancer at the university.
"I got to interact with people and hear their point of view, which was helpful, especially with other patients," he said.
Nassar is excited about helping other prostate cancer patients make their way through battling the disease. And he said the size of the group doesn't matter that much to him.
"If we get 35 people at the kick-off, I'll be happy," he said of the year-long series of once-a-month meetings. "If those people feel they're being helped, they will come back and tell others, so the group will grow."
The meetings, which begin Tuesday, are a result of collaboration between Frye Regional Medical Center, Catawba Valley Medical Center and local oncologists. In fact, Carolina Oncology Specialists have offered their office space for the meetings, which will be held the second Tuesday of each month.
Those partnerships, to Barbara Rush, Mission Delivery manager for the local ACS office, mean success.
"We want the local doctors to feel comfortable referring patients to us," Rush said. "For the patients, it means having all the facts and knowing what options are available. It's one place to come and get information."
"I can't provide medical advice," Nassar said, "but I bring experience."
Local professionals will bring their expertise to the group's meetings, giving information on treatment options, adjusting to life changes that come with the disease, nutrition, relaxation techniques and financial counseling.
Medical professionals are not the only ones lending support to the group. Nassar's boss, Christoph Klingspor, has allowed a telephone line to be set up in the Klingspor offices, allowing Nassar to be available to group members.
Spouses and significant others are welcome to attend the meetings, as they are affected by the disease as well.
"It empowers not only the man, but also the spouse, allowing them to feel they have some control," Rush said.
Currently, Nassar is considered cancer-free, but he says the disease still affects him.
"I may be cancer-free, but I'm not side-effect free," he said. "I'm not finished learning about the disease." To see more of the Hickory Daily Record or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.hickoryrecord.com. Copyright (c) 2008, Hickory Daily Record, N.C. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008 Hickory Daily Record, N.C.