Louis Brauer – Falling smarter to protect bone health
Avid gamer, Louis Brauer, who is living with metastatic prostate cancer, explains that one way he reduces his fracture risk is by falling safely and correctly.
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Louis Brauer (80) lives in Sandringham, Gauteng. He has two children and eight grandchildren.
In 2011, Louis was having trouble urinating properly and couldn’t always hold it in, so he went to a GP. He was told nothing is wrong with him, so he sought a second opinion. This doctor took his complaint seriously and booked him in hospital to have various tests.
After a week in hospital, Louis was diagnosed with prostate cancer and unfortunately it had spread to the bone. His prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level was 308; a normal PSA level is below 4.
It was explained that there were three options to treat prostate cancer: brachytherapy (a targeted form of internal radiation therapy that places radioactive pellets directly inside or next to a tumour), prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate gland), or radiation therapy.
Because the prostate cancer had spread to the bones, the doctor explained that a prostatectomy wasn’t an option and that brachytherapy wouldn’t do anything. So, Louis was advised to have radiation and go on androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for life.
ADT is a hormone therapy for prostate cancer that reduces androgen levels (like testosterone) to starve cancer cells, slowing growth or shrinking tumours.
Louis was also prescribed zoledronic acid, an intravenous bisphosphonate medication used to strengthen bones, for two years. He completed the course in 2013.
Ongoing treatment
Due to the PSA level rising throughout the years, Louis had chemotherapy. Then in 2022, his oncologist prescribed an androgen biosynthesis inhibitor along with the ongoing ADT. Since this addition, the prostate cancer has had good control with a PSA score of 0,2.
“The only side effect I have is fatigue. At any time of the day, I can close my eyes, and I will easily fall asleep,” Louis says.
Watchful eye on bone density
When Louis was diagnosed, he had a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan (bone density scan). This quick, painless, low-dose X-ray measures the strength and mineral content of the bones to diagnose osteoporosis or assess fracture risk.
This scan was done as the prostate cancer had spread to his bones and due to him being prescribed ADT, which would impact bone health and increase fracture risk.
Since completing the zoledronic acid, he undergoes a DEXA scan every two years.
“This scan looks at all your bones in your body and can tell if there are areas of concern,” Louis says.
He adds, “Since my first scan thankfully my bone density has stayed much the same.”
Falling the right way
Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer, Louis has fallen a few times but thankfully hasn’t broken or fractured any bones.
“I’m a strong individual and I know how to fall. I don’t fall flat; I tend to roll over,” he explains.
When asked how he learnt how to fall to ensure he doesn’t break any bones, he responds, “I was a member of The Israeli Defence Force and was part of the paratrooper division and of course they teach you to roll when you fall. So, I still use this technique today – pulling my elbows close to my ribs.”
Avid gamer
Louis still goes for his check-ups, with his recent CT scan showing no progression. Despite having metastatic prostate cancer, Louis has good quality of life and makes the most of it; he has a girlfriend and is an avid gamer.
“The biggest battle I’m fighting is to win in the game Diablo IV. If I can’t sleep, I can go on and there is always someone online who I can play with. I love it.”
MEET OUR EDITOR
Laurelle Williams is the editor at Word for Word Media. She graduated from AFDA with a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Live Performance. She has a love for storytelling and sharing emotions through the power of words. Write to [email protected]
This article is sponsored by Aspen Pharmacare in the interest of education, awareness, and support. The content and opinions expressed are entirely the patient’s own work and not influenced by Aspen Pharmacare in any way.
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