Teka and Jan's Story

Keeping Fit and Healthy with Prostate Cancer


Living a healthy lifestyle is helping Teka Pahina and partner Jan Hardie be positive about Teka’s prostate cancer.

Teka, now 72, was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 2004 and is still going strong after several rounds of treatment. It took Teka 12 years from finding out about his prostate cancer to discover the Central Christchurch Support Group run by volunteers for the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Support groups are just one of the many ways the Prostate Cancer Foundation can help men and their partners. Another is a fitness programme the Foundation has been trialing in Christchurch for men with prostate cancer called Prost-FIT. Teka is part of this group which meets weekly and has from 10 to 14 people regularly taking part.

Jan says that “Teka has really enjoyed being part of this programme, it made a big change to his motivation and he really likes it because it is a fun way to spend time with others in his situation. Teka also likes the inclusiveness for Māori participants like him with poi and haka exercises”.

Jodie

Jan says “Teka has always valued his fitness as he is a former fire fighter”. “Exercise has made a big difference to the way he has handled his treatments of prostate cancer and exercise has given us both a positive outlook on life.”

Exercise and healthy living are a way of life for Teka and Jan. Both have also done the City2Surf this year, Jan walked the 14km course and Teka the 6km course with a group of others from his Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Paul Hayes, Marketing and Fundraising Manager at the Prostate Cancer Foundation says, “funds raised by people doing Dry July will help the Foundation to roll out the Prost-FIT programme across the country”.

“Also, by signing up to Dry July you will help to help the Foundation continue to provide support services to men like Teka and their whānau”.

“The Prostate Cancer Foundation funds research and advocates for better diagnosis and treatment. The Foundation also creates awareness of the importance of getting checked for prostate cancer as early diagnosis often allows for more treatment options and better outcomes. Men over 50 should get a regular check through having an easy blood test called PSA and a digital rectal examination”.

Jan says, “I urge people to sign up for Dry July as the funds raised will help many other people like Teka and me across New Zealand, who are living with prostate cancer”.