Prostate cancer support group offers hope, relief to men in London, Sarnia, Wallaceburg
Neil Langlois is sharing his experience with prostate cancer — he's a survivor and once a month meets with the London Sarnia Wallaceburg (LSW) Prostate Cancer Support Group to work through the trauma it caused.
“I was not only scared, but I would say feeling a little victimized and certainly unsure of what my future held. I was worried about, ‘would everything be okay for the rest of my family? My wife... My kids…’ ” Langlois told CTV News.
By the time he was diagnosed, it had already spread to his lungs and was stage four.
“I was diagnosed by accident. My life insurance company had sent all of my life insurance documents to someone in eastern Ontario, so my renewal wasn't met,” he recalled.
“During a blood test, I was notified that I failed and needed medical attention. Had it been discussed when I was 50 or before that, chances are it wouldn't have gone as far as it did," he explained.
Langlois said the late detection made saving his life more complicated.
Detection comes from a prostate specific antigen blood test, which needs a doctor referral, and costs Ontario men $35.00 out of pocket.
LSW support group organizer Carl Kelly told CTV News he wants to see it covered under OHIP.
“I think it would go a long way in early detection and there are people out there that just don't have $35 to do it. It's unfortunate, but that could be a deterrent for guys getting it done too. The point is, why do I have to pay for it? So there's a case there for having it covered,” Kelly explained.
Both Carl and Neil say, the later the detection, the greater the emotional turmoil.
"It's funny how alone you would possibly feel, but it's far better to sit in a room with men who are experiencing the same challenges that you are and have the opportunity to listen to them and hear the emotion in their voices and let them tell you what they're feeling,” said Langlois.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian Olympic Committee offers 'heartfelt apology' after New Zealand accuses Canada Soccer of spying
The Canadian Olympic Committee offered a 'heartfelt' apology to New Zealand Football Tuesday after the New Zealand women's club accused the Canadian women's team of spying on them during a training session.
Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
Pennsylvania state police commissioner reveals stunning details about Trump shooting
A local law enforcement commissioner revealed during a House Homeland Security hearing on Tuesday stunning new details about the security failures that led to the near assassination of Donald Trump, raising more questions for the embattled U.S. Secret Service.
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded on Earth, scientists say
Sunday was the hottest day ever recorded, breaking global temperatures dating back to 1940, according to preliminary data from Europe's Copernicus Climate Change Service.
Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
Clip resurfaces of Vance criticizing Harris for being 'childless,' testing Trump's new running mate
Comments Donald Trump’s running mate JD Vance made in 2021 questioning U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ leadership because she did not have biological children have resurfaced, testing the young conservative senator in his early days campaigning as part of the Republicans' presidential ticket.
Premier says fine-tuning needed for alert system after miscommunicated Jasper evacuation timing
Alberta's premier says changes are needed to the province's emergency alert system after incorrect information was shared about the Jasper evacuation on Monday night.
'I had to go into hiding': Manitoba man still being harassed after charges into alleged human trafficking ring dropped
A man whose charges were stayed following an investigation into an alleged child sex trafficking ring in Portage la Prairie says his life has been ruined.
'Stars are aligning' for Bank of Canada rate cut: economists
The Bank of Canada is expected to deliver a dose of interest rate relief Wednesday when economists and market watchers predict the central bank will cut its overnight lending rate.