The Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program - PC-PEP - Podcast
Welcome to the "Prostate Cancer - Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEP) Podcast," where we focus on empowering individuals facing prostate cancer with evidence-based strategies, practical insights, and heartfelt stories. Whether you're newly diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or navigating life beyond diagnosis, this podcast is designed to support you and your loved ones every step of the way.
Co-hosted by a scientist specializing in patient-centered interventions and Dr. Rob Rutledge, a prostate cancer oncologist from Nova Scotia, Canada, this podcast offers a blend of research-backed advice, expert guidance, and real stories from those who have walked this path. Together, we dive into the many facets of our PC-PEP program, from stress management and physical fitness to nutrition, intimacy, and building a strong support network. Each episode features inspiring personal journeys, practical tips, and the latest updates to help you live well with prostate cancer.
We believe that a diagnosis doesn't have to define your life. Our mission is to help you feel confident, informed, and in control—empowering you to focus on what truly matters. Join us as we explore the experiences and wisdom of men and their partners, offering insights, a touch of humor, and the encouragement to reclaim your vitality and well-being.
PC-PEP is available for free to anyone worldwide who speaks English. Learn more at PCPEP.org, or explore our cancer empowerment program outside of research at CancerPEP.com. Tune in and become a part of our global community dedicated to thriving beyond prostate cancer.
The Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment Program - PC-PEP - Podcast
“What Do You Do When the Ground Shifts Beneath You?” A Young Man’s Prostate Cancer Journey - PC-PEP Podcast Episode 8
In this powerful and uplifting episode of the (Prostate Cancer - Patient Empowerment Program) PC-PEP Podcast, we sit down with Nick Aiken, a board member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand (PCFNZ) and a passionate advocate for men’s health from Napier, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Nick shares his journey through a prostate cancer diagnosis in his early fifties, just months after leaving a secure career to start his own practice. Facing emotional shock, uncertainty, and the realities of hormone therapy (ADT), Nick discovered not only what it means to advocate for your own care—but how community, information, and daily connection can transform survivorship.
We first met Nick at the 2024 PCFNZ Conference in Christchurch, thanks to the visionary leadership of CEO Peter Dickens and the growing collaboration between PCFNZ and PC-PEP. That meeting sparked an enduring connection—and this conversation is a testament to what’s possible when men around the world stand up for each other’s healing.
Nick reflects on:
1. The gaps in early detection in New Zealand—and what needs to change.
2. How the PC-PEP program offered the emotional support, structure, and information the medical system couldn’t.
🗣️ “You can’t let your diagnosis determine the rest of your life.”
🛠️ “I had to learn to be my own agent… not just sit back and let it happen.”
3. Why intimacy, adaptability, and agency are core to living well post-diagnosis.
4. The importance of normalizing conversations around prostate cancer—especially the tough stuff.
With humour, honesty, and insight, Nick reminds us that healing isn’t just about surviving—it’s about reclaiming life, one choice at a time. His voice is one of clarity, warmth, and deep compassion—and his insights will resonate with anyone navigating cancer, advocacy, or transformation.
🎧 Listen to the episode on Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2420283/
📺 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/h2Uv5WINEUs
🌐 Learn more about PC-PEP: https://www.pcpep.org/ or pcpep.org/nz
For all forms of cancer go to CancerPEP.com (available in New Zealand though the Southern Cancer Society of New Zealand).
Together, we are not just facing prostate cancer—we are transforming how we live beyond it.
EMPOWER YOURSELF!