Even health buffs can get prostate cancer

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A healthy lifestyle didn’t help Walter Pukala escape a prostate cancer diagnosis, but he says it made his fast recovery and survival possible. | Scott Stewart~Sun-Times

Updated: November 27, 2011 1:22PM

Now fully aware that prostate cancer screening is a friend, not a foe, Walter Pukala urges men — regardless of their age, regardless of how healthy they feel, regardless of how much exercise their lifestyle includes, regardless of how invincible they seem — to get an annual checkup for the disease, which is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

Pukala, a 56-year-old member of the Aviation Police Department at O’Hare International Airport, vividly recalls hearing the unexpected “C-word verdict” from his physician (prostate cancer specialist Dr. William J. Catalona of Northwestern Memorial Hospital) last January after his elevated PSA blood test levels indicated a serious problem. “‘No, not me,’ I said. ‘I’m too young. You got the wrong slides, the wrong guy. That’s not my blood test — double-, triple-check the name.’ Of course, they had double-checked the results before they even called me into the [doctor’s] office.”

The grim diagnosis hit the 6-foot, 180-pound Pukala “like a ton of bricks.” Particularly, he says, because he always had maintained a healthy, exercise-filled lifestyle. Born and raised in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood, Pukala played basketball, football and softball in school. He majored in sports medicine/fitness management at North Park College. He led boot camps as a 15-year Air Force veteran. He participated in 5K, 8K and 10K mini-triathlons and three marathons, and had run up the stairs at Sears (now Willis) Tower. For the past 15 years, he’s worked at Galter LifeCenter, where he’s taught cycling classes and been a personal trainer.

“Foolishly, I thought cancer could never happen to me, to someone who had always lived a healthy lifestyle — so I was devastated,” admits Pukala, one of an estimated 186,000 men in the United States to be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year. Immediately, he called his sister, Christine, the woman he lovingly describes as “one tough cookie,” “a brave breast cancer survivor of two years,” and his “lightning rod of support.”

While studying a dozen options suggested by his doctor, Pukala attended Gilda’s Club meetings and relied on cancer survivors Mike Luebker, Phil Hofer and Jerry Roper for information and support. His sister and his daughter, Samantha, 24, who lives in Sweden, were at his Northwestern bedside before and after his April 26 surgery. Pukala, who didn’t require chemotherapy or radiation, surprised doctors — and himself — with his recovery and return to work in late May.

“I didn’t think I’d come through the surgery with flying colors, but I did — I’m very fortunate. I owe all of that to staying in good health, exercise and proper diet,” adds Pukala, aware that 28,000 men die of prostate cancer annually. “Cancer can affect anyone at anytime, and all we can do is make the best of it,” he acknowledges.

The Logan Square resident is now back to running (Pukala participated in last Sunday’s seventh annual Chicago Prostate Cancer Walk/Run sponsored by SEA Blue), strength training, and keeping up with Cameron, his energetic 6-year-old daughter.

“Look, prostate cancer doesn’t discriminate. Do whatever you have to do to beat the odds,” stresses the avid Blackhawks and Bears fan. “Men, get checked for prostate cancer — don’t let it go. Don’t wait until you’re 50; you’re not too young. And exercise, exercise, exercise.”

“Every little bit of exercise helps,” Pukala insists, adding that even 15 minutes in the morning or at lunch and 15 minutes at night are helpful.

Pukala advocates daily exercise, but explains, “You don’t have to go to a gym every day to exercise. You can walk 15 minutes one direction, and then 15 minutes back. You can walk up and down stairs instead of taking an elevator. You can park at the far edge of a parking lot and walk to a store or your job rather than driving around 15 to 20 minutes looking for the closest parking spot — and winding up with a dinged car door. You can do pushups, sit-ups and squats at home.”

“For your own sake, do something,” Pukala adds passionately, thankful to join his sister as a cancer survivor.

Sandy Thorn Clark is a local free-lance writer.