Irregular working hours, long durations away from home, and logistical difficulty attending appointments while on the road are some of the many factors that limit medical care for over-the-road drivers. Without early treatment, the risk of a disease or chronic condition progressing to a more acute illness is high. One such condition is prostate cancer.
GPS – Get Preventative Screenings
Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer affecting men, with 13 out of every 100 men developing prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Progress in early diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer has led to a much more positive prognosis. Early detection has increased survival rate at five years after diagnosis to 99% – an astonishing feat! However, early detection requires proactive screening. Once prostate cancer has metastasized or spread beyond the prostate, the five-year survival rate after diagnosis drops to a grim 32%.
While the early stages of prostate cancer frequently have no symptoms, there are some symptoms that men should be aware of and, if experiencing, should discuss with their healthcare provider. These symptoms may include frequent urination or difficulty urinating; blood in the urine; pain in the lower back, hips, thighs, or lower pelvic area; loss of appetite and weight loss; and/or pain during intercourse.
Along with monitoring for symptoms, it is important to be aware of potential risk factors. Men are at higher risk after the age of 50 and if there is an immediate family history of prostate cancer such as a father, uncle, or brother. Other potential risk factors include certain genetic mutations, smoking, and obesity.
The St. Christopher Fund, with sponsorship from OOIDA and Southern Recipe, has partnered with Call on Doc to provide free prostate cancer screening kits to all Class A, OTR semi-truck drivers between the ages of 50-69. If there is a close family history, screenings are recommended starting between ages 40-45. Screenings can be completed in the comfort and privacy of your truck, home, or at the lab of your choosing. Prostate cancer screening kits through Call on Doc consist of a discretely packaged urine collection kit with clear, simple instructions, and a pre-paid box to ship the sample. Results are available online in 3-5 days. If a positive screening is detected, Call on Doc provides resources for treatment. To learn more or register for a free prostate cancer screening kit, please visit: https://truckersfund.org/gps/
Healthy Habits for the Long-Haul
Other health conditions that are at risk for progressing and taking a driver off the road are chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes. Chronic conditions are often caused by a complex combination of factors such as food choices, stress, lower activity levels, inadequate sleep, genetics, and more, and can be more difficult to prevent and manage while working as an OTR driver.
To help reduce the health risks associated with chronic conditions, the St. Christopher Fund, also with sponsorship from OOIDA and Southern Recipe, has created Healthy Habits for the Long-Haul (HH4LH). HH4LH is a 12-week virtual program, free to all Class A, OTR semi-truck drivers. The program focuses on preventing and managing chronic conditions. Topics include nutrition label reading, goal setting, the science of sleep, stress management, heart health, activity, and more. Each week of topics includes discussion in a small group setting and resources are provided to help support sustainable habit changes. Each participant receives an assortment of tools to help track their progress such as a body scale, blood pressure cuff, fitness tracker, and a set of resistance bands. Information is tailored to OTR truck drivers and the unique challenges they face while on the road. To learn more about Healthy Habits for the Long-Haul or to register, please visit: https://truckersfund.org/healthy-habits/