Larry Kleifges

Larry Kleifges loves tending to his garden.  Acting as a therapy of sorts, growing different vegetation brings him in touch with nature with each tiny seed planted. And as each new plant sprouts from the ground, Larry is able to sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labor.

“Gardening is a passion of mine and I take a lot of pride in it,” said Larry. “I’ve been doing it for most of my life and I’m still learning new things. Spending time out in my yard brings me lots of enjoyment.”

Retired and having previously battled bladder cancer in 1981, choosing the best techniques for cultivating his garden should have been the most of Larry’s worries.  Suffice to say, one encounter with cancer is more than enough in anyone’s lifetime. 

However in 2000, to Larry’s dismay, there was a second round in his fight against cancer - this time it would be prostate cancer.

“It really caught me by surprise. I had absolutely no symptoms,” said Larry.  “I went in for a routine physical when my doctor told me my PSA [prostate specific antigen] level was high.  After a biopsy it was later confirmed that I had prostate cancer.” Living with prostate cancer for the last nine years has required Larry to diligently stay on top of his medical health.  Accompanied at every doctor’s appointment by Patricia, his childhood sweetheart and wife of 50 years, Larry watches over his PSA levels to insure his prostate cancer is kept under control.

During Larry’s previous diagnosis of bladder cancer, he received radiation therapy to treat the disease. The radiation, which left scar tissue near his prostate, eliminated surgery as a treatment option for his prostate cancer. As a result, since 2000 Larry has solely undergone hormone therapy (often used in combination with surgical intervention) - visiting his physician once every three months for treatment.

“My dad is definitely a fighter,” said James Kleifges of his father, Larry. “I continue to look up to him for the tremendous courage he’s shown.” (Read about Larry's diagnosis from James' persepctive.)

Hormone therapy, also known as androgen-deprivation therapy or ADT, is designed to arrest testosterone production and prevent it from fueling the growth of prostate cancer cells. The treatment is done by combining therapeutics to lower testosterone levels with drugs that reduce cancer cells’ sensitivity to testosterone.  This form of treatment has been shown to play an important role in men with advancing prostate cancer, and is increasingly being used in combination with local treatments.

“Prostate cancer is a disease that is predominantly fueled by male hormones called androgens and more specifically testosterone and dihydrotestosterone,”said Eleni Efstathiou, MD, PhD, urologic oncologist at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and a PCF-funded researcher. “Today we are still seeking ways to maximally deplete the cancer cells from androgens. Currently available strategies manage to reduce androgens, but not to eliminate their presence in the blood and more importantly in the area of the tumor. These androgens are produced by the testicles, adrenals and very likely by the cancer cells themselves.”

Although currently available hormone therapies do not cure prostate cancer, they remain an important step in the process of managing the disease. Hormone therapy is often selected as part of a patient’s therapeutic regimen at some point during his fight against recurrent or advanced prostate cancer.

In addition to hormone therapy, Larry credits staying active as being a key element for his well-being while living with prostate cancer.  When he’s not gardening, Larry can be found exercising and staying fit at his local health club - where he goes at least five days a week. Coaching young people in athletics is yet another activity that keeps him on the move.

“I’ve been coaching for some 30 years now. You name it I’ve coached it - baseball, football and basketball,” said Larry. “This year I’m coaching high school teens.  They do a good job of keeping me busy.”

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology, physical activity can help promote a healthy psychological well-being for people living with cancer.  And while exercise is good for everyone in general, it has specifically been shown to help cancer survivors control fatigue, lose or maintain weight, improve cardiovascular fitness, manage stress, and improve overall mood and self-esteem.

“Physical activity is an important, determining factor for a cancer patient's well-being and quality of life,” said Dr. Efstathiou.  “Among other toxicities, exercise clearly protects from osteoporosis and cardiovascular toxicity that may be induced by currently applied treatments. Overall physical activity provides a unique sense of well-being.”

Heeding that same sentiment, Larry isn’t letting this go-around with cancer slow him down.  Known by family members and friends for his grittiness, the Chicago native (and proclaimed #1 White Sox fan) continues to enjoy life while also living with prostate cancer.