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Jim Confronts Returning Prostate Cancer

Watch Jim, a real XTANDI patient, bravely share his journey of returning prostate cancer and his experience with XTANDI treatment. This video includes advice for other men facing similar challenges and emphasizes the importance of being proactive with your health and maintaining a positive attitude.

JIM: Who wants to ride with me? Anybody?

JIM'S FRIEND: I'll ride with you.

JIM: Okay, alright. I'm a positive person. I'll throw my heart across the bar and then jump. All right, you ready? There's always setbacks in life. And if there's an issue, I face it head-on.

JIM'S FRIEND: Man, look at that. Oh, good swing there. Yeah, man.

JIM: Right down the middle, boys.

JIM'S FRIEND: Nice.

JIM: Thank you, my man.

JIM'S FRIEND: Well done.

JIM: My name is Jim, and I live in South Carolina.

BETH: Water.

JIM: Thank you, darling. I appreciate that.

I was a cheerleader here at school. It taught me to keep a positive attitude no matter what the score is and when you're with people, that positivity comes out on them as well. To many more rounds. To many more birdies.

I worked in sales for 40 years. Since then, I moved back home to my alma mater. And it's just something about living in a college town that makes you feel young. I love to fish, I love to hunt, I love to play golf.

JIM'S FRIEND: Go in the hole. Yes sir!

JIM: I like the saying, "Don't let the old man in." You got to keep moving in life because once you stop, it's not any fun anymore.

You know, I've always tried to take care of my health. Ran a lot of 10Ks, ran six marathons. The only thing that ever kept coming up was my cholesterol. This just kind of focused in on my blood work and everything on it. And my doctor said, "I don't like where your PSA is. We need to do something about this." And so we scheduled a biopsy. When I walked in for the results, I could tell by the look on my doctor's face that something was not right.

And he said, "I've got bad news." I said, "What is that?" "You have prostate cancer." My head's spinning. I'm thinking, "Okay, where do we go? What do we do? I'm way ahead of my skis on this." I called my wife. I said, "Honey, I've got cancer." So there's a pause, and she said, "Well, what are you going to do?" I said, "I'm going hunting."

That's my happy place. And when I get back, we will formulate a plan.

After my diagnosis, I kind of looked back over my life, took a deep breath, and I said, "You're a cheerleader. You're positive. Be positive you will do something about it." I came up with a lot of questions for the oncologist, and at the end I said, "If you were me, what would you do?" He said, "I would have it removed." And so that's what I did.

And then we started on this journey of meeting with my doctor every six months and monitoring my numbers and the numbers were great. The cancer had not spread.

Four years later, my doctor and I noticed my PSA was starting to go up again and I remember thinking like, "Okay, what do we do now?" I was really worried when those numbers started going back up and I went through those radiation treatments. It was tough, but we got it done and I couldn't wait to get my numbers. Numbers hadn't changed very much. And then my PSA doubled in less than a year. And I'm like, "Darn, this thing is tough."

My doctor told me that even though I had prostate removal surgery and radiation, my rising PSA was still an indicator that I was at high risk of my cancer spreading. Just when I thought I was succeeding, it kicked me in the gut again, and I was saying, "What do we do next? Where do we go?"

That's when my doctor told me about a clinical trial for XTANDI (enzalutamide), which was already approved for other types of advanced prostate cancer. And that I was an excellent candidate based on my rapidly rising PSA.

ANNOUNCER: You're about to hear some information about XTANDI. Stay tuned for the rest of Jim's story.

What is XTANDI?

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is a prescription medicine used to treat men with prostate cancer that:

  • no longer responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone

OR

  • has spread to other parts of the body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone

OR

  • has not spread to other parts of the body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone, and who are at high risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body

It is not known if XTANDI is safe and effective in females or children.

Please listen to the safety information about XTANDI during this video and see additional safety information and Full Prescribing Information on the XTANDI website.

JIM: While I knew XTANDI was already approved for other types of advanced prostate cancer, I still researched the potential side effects. My doctor said the most common side effects include hot flashes, fatigue, and muscle and joint pain. As part of my treatment, I take XTANDI as well as androgen deprivation therapy, also known as ADT. In addition, I get my PSA checked every six months.

ANNOUNCER: Important Safety Information. Talk to your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of these serious side effects while on XTANDI, including:

  • Seizure or Sudden Loss of Consciousness. Avoid activities where loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to yourself or others.
  • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES), a brain condition, may develop. Includes seizure or quickly worsening symptoms such as headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision or other visual problems. Your doctor will check for PRES.
  • Allergic Reactions. Stop taking XTANDI if you develop swelling of the face, tongue, lip or throat.
  • Ischemic Heart Disease, the blockage of arteries in the heart that can lead to death. Symptoms include: chest pain, discomfort at rest or with activity, and shortness of breath. Your doctor will monitor you for signs of this disease during your treatment.
  • Increased Risk of Falls and Bone Fractures. Falls were not caused by loss of consciousness (fainting) or seizures.
  • Swallowing Problems or Choking. Life-threatening problems or death can happen in people during treatment because of the size of the XTANDI capsules and tablets. Swallow each capsule or tablet whole with enough water to make sure that you can swallow all of the medicine successfully.

Your doctor will monitor your risks and stop XTANDI if you have serious side effects. Additional safety information can be found later in this video.

JIM: My initial thoughts of XTANDI was that having a pill every day fit in my lifestyle. I could do it at home. I take them at night and I have a routine that I don't miss a day.

I'm very fortunate that XTANDI treats my type of advanced prostate cancer. My doctor and I continue to be pleased with my results.

What do you think, Scar? That's my girl.

When you have prostate cancer and you get your blood work done, you need to know your numbers. You know about one in eight men are going to have prostate cancer.

Why is it that men don't want to get a PSA check?

JIM'S FRIEND: I think historically men don't really like to go to doctors.

JIM: With PSA you have a baseline. If it rises or doubles, you need to talk to your doctor. You know, I've known my urologist for 14 years. Once we finish talking about my numbers, we start talking about football.

When you're looking for a urologist, find someone that takes the time, that looks beyond your condition and will take that interest in you to learn what is going on in your life and what emotions you are feeling at that moment.

Here's some helpful questions you might want to ask your doctor.

  • What changes in my numbers would indicate my prostate cancer is starting to spread or has returned?
  • If it does spread, what are my options?
  • If my PSA is rising, or doubles, what are my next steps?
  • What procedures or treatments are available to me?
  • Is XTANDI right for me?

Whatever you do, don't change who you are because you have prostate cancer. Keep being you. But do live a healthy lifestyle. Follow your doctor's advice, walk, run, do whatever you can to stay active. To this day, I continue to be my own best advocate and I encourage you to do the same.

I was my own cheerleader. My head was never down. I said, let's go. Let's go. Let's get this journey on and let's cheer each other on. And the main thing is we celebrate each other. I'm just so blessed that I have been able to have this opportunity to live my life and not let the old man in.

JIM'S FRIEND: Well Jim, you've educated us and we thank you for that.

JIM: I have a mission in life now. To talk and tell other men, "You're not there alone." That's why I'm sitting here. You've seen me play golf. You've seen me walk my dogs. You've seen me hold my chicken. You've seen my loving wife. Don't take life for granted. It's a gift. Every morning, every night, every day that you wake up. There are other men here. There are doctors here that are going to help you along the way.

JIM'S FRIEND: Yeah, baby. Yes, sir.

JIM: We're in this together.

ANNOUNCER: Important Safety Information & Use About XTANDI.

What should I tell my doctor before taking XTANDI?

Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you:

  • Have a history of seizures, brain injury, stroke, or brain tumors.
  • Have a history of heart disease, have high blood pressure, or have abnormal amounts of fat or cholesterol in your blood (dyslipidemia).
  • Are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. XTANDI can cause harm to your unborn baby and loss of pregnancy (miscarriage).
  • Have a partner who is pregnant or may become pregnant.
    • Males who have female partners who are able to become pregnant should use effective birth control (contraception) during treatment with XTANDI and for 3 months after the last dose.
    • Males must use a condom during sex with a pregnant female.
  • Are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if XTANDI passes into your breast milk.
  • Take other medicines. XTANDI may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how XTANDI works. These include prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Do not start or stop any medicine without talking to your doctor.

How should I take XTANDI?

  • Take XTANDI exactly as your doctor tells you. Take your prescribed dose once a day, at the same time each day. XTANDI can be taken with or without food. Swallow XTANDI capsules or tablets whole with enough water to make sure that you can swallow all of the medicine successfully. Do not chew, dissolve, or open the capsules. Do not cut, crush or chew the tablets. Your doctor may change your dose if needed. Your doctor may also change your pill size or stop treatment if you have swallowing problems.
  • Do not change or stop taking your prescribed dose of XTANDI without talking with your doctor first.
  • If you are receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) therapy, you should continue with this treatment while taking XTANDI unless you have had surgery to lower the amount of testosterone in your body (surgical castration).
  • If you miss a dose of XTANDI: Take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember that day. If you miss your daily dose, take your prescribed dose at your regular time the next day. Do not take more than your prescribed dose of XTANDI each day.
  • If you take too much XTANDI: Call your doctor or go to the nearest emergency room right away. You may have an increased risk of seizure if you take too much XTANDI.

What are the possible side effects of XTANDI?

XTANDI may cause serious side effects including:

  • Seizure. If you take XTANDI, you may be at risk of having a seizure. Avoid activities where a sudden loss of consciousness could cause serious harm to yourself or others. Tell your doctor right away if you lose consciousness or have a seizure.
  • Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome (PRES). If you take XTANDI you may be at risk of developing a condition involving the brain called PRES. Tell your doctor right away if you have a seizure or quickly worsening symptoms such as headache, decreased alertness, confusion, reduced eyesight, blurred vision or other visual problems. Your doctor will do a test to check for PRES.
  • Allergic Reactions. Allergic reactions have happened in people who take XTANDI. Stop taking XTANDI and get medical help right away if you develop swelling of the face, tongue, lip or throat.
  • Heart Disease. Blockage of the arteries in the heart (ischemic heart disease) that can lead to death has happened in some people during treatment with XTANDI. Your doctor will monitor you for signs and symptoms of heart problems during your treatment. Call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away if you get chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity or shortness of breath during your treatment with XTANDI.
  • Falls and Bone Fractures. XTANDI treatment may increase your risk for falls and bone fractures. Falls were not caused by loss of consciousness or seizures. Your doctor will monitor your risks for falls and bone fractures during treatment with XTANDI.
  • Swallowing Problems or Choking. Severe swallowing problems or choking, including life-threatening problems or death can happen in people during treatment with XTANDI, because of the size of the XTANDI capsules and tablets. Swallow each XTANDI capsule or tablet whole with enough water to make sure that you can swallow all of the medicine successfully.

Your doctor will stop treatment with XTANDI if you have serious side effects.

The most common side effects of XTANDI include:

  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • Hot flashes
  • Constipation
  • Decreased appetite
  • Diarrhea
  • High blood pressure
  • Bleeding problems
  • Falls
  • Bone fractures
  • Headache

XTANDI may cause fertility problems in males, which may affect the ability to father children. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of XTANDI. For more information, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

For further information, please talk to your doctor and read the Patient Information and Full Prescribing Information for XTANDI.

What is XTANDI?

XTANDI (enzalutamide) is a prescription medicine used to treat men with prostate cancer that:

  • no longer responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone

OR

  • has spread to other parts of the body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone

OR

  • has not spread to other parts of the body and responds to a hormone therapy or surgical treatment to lower testosterone, and who are at high risk of cancer spreading to other parts of the body

It is not known if XTANDI is safe and effective in females or children.

Chapters in this video:

The patients featured in these videos are taking or have taken XTANDI®. Astellas and Pfizer compensated these patients to share their stories. Their experiences were accurate at the time of publication and may have since changed.

Select Safety Information

The most common side effects of XTANDI include: muscle and joint pain, feeling more tired than usual, hot flashes, constipation, decreased appetite, diarrhea, high blood pressure, bleeding problems, falls, bone fractures, and headache. Learn more

Learn more about XTANDI

Another patient shares their experience

Euvon, a real XTANDI patient, and his wife discuss the importance of having a game plan when living with advanced prostate cancer.

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