Elton John’s Final Performance– At 76, After Five Decades– How The Rocket Man Survivor Said Goodbye

The beloved artist's final show was held in Stockholm over the weekend. The show concluded a five-year-long final tour.

"When we set off on my final tour in 2018, I couldn't have foreseen in my wildest dreams that twists and turns and the highs and lows," John said.

John's career gained momentum in the early 1970s and soon after he would become one of the most recognizable entertainers in the music industry.

John's biggest hits include "Tiny Dancer," "Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding," and "Rocket Man" among many more. He also landed several notable gigs on the big screen during his career. He had roles in "Kingsman: The Golden Circle," "The Road to El Dorado" and influenced music on Disney's "The Lion King."

The six-time Grammy winner also battled prostate cancer. He was diagnosed in 2017 and underwent surgery to treat his cancer. Though his surgery was successful, it led to complications that landed him in the hospital for 11 days.

"I didn't really know how close to death I was," Elton wrote in his autobiography Me. "I was ill because I kept saying, 'Please let me get well. I want to see my kids.' But I had tubes coming out of every part of my body, and it took me seven weeks to recover from that when I went home."

John's cancer journey contributed to his decision to wrap up his career in conjunction with a desire to spend more time with his family.

 

"It was like being shown a different life, a life I realized I loved more than being on the road," Elton wrote in his book. "Music was the most wonderful thing, but it still didn't sound as good as Zachary [his son] chattering about what had happened at Cubs or football practice."

Understanding Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It starts in the walnut-shaped prostate gland, which is located between the rectum and bladder and produces the fluid that nourishes sperm.

Most prostate cancer is caught with screening examinations.

Prostate cancer does not always behave the same in every man it impacts. The cancer can be considered "low-risk" and can be slow-growing, and treatment might not be necessary. In other men, the cancer may grow faster or be more aggressive, requiring more immediate treatment. Because of this, there is some debate about screening.

The United States Preventive Services Taskforce recommends men at average risk between the ages of 55-69 years old should talk with their doctor about the pros and cons of prostate cancer screening. Most doctors agree that men over the age of 70 do not need screening.

SurvivorNet experts suggested that men consider factors like their family history, genes, and age when deciding whether, and when, to screen.

Screening

When you do get screened for prostate cancer, your doctor will determine your risk for the cancer by running a few tests.

One of the tests is the PSA test, a simple blood test that screens for prostate cancer. It looks for larger amounts of protein-specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. An elevated PSA test does not always mean you have prostate cancer. It could also reflect that your prostate is enlarged which is common or it could signal an infection or inflammation.

Your doctor may also conduct a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check your prostate for lumps.

Depending on the results of these tests, imaging scans and a biopsy may be ordered.

After tests are conducted, your doctor analyzes the results to give you a Gleason Score. This score ranges from 6 to 10. The higher the score, the more aggressive the cancer.

This score, along with your other test results, helps doctors determine if your cancer is "low risk," "intermediate risk," or "high risk."

Symptoms

It might sound odd, but paying attention to the way you urinate can help you know when to seek help. Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

• Peeing more often
• Waking up in the middle of the night to pee
• Blood in your urine
• Trouble getting an erection
• Pain or burning when you urinate
• Pain in your back, hips, thighs, or other bones
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue

 

WATCH: When to treat prostate cancer?

Treatment

After testing and your risk has been established, your doctor will discuss possible treatment options. Treatment ranges from "active surveillance" usually for men with low-risk prostate cancer. This involves regular testing every six months to monitor the prostate and check for any progression of the disease.

More aggressive treatment options include surgery and radiation therapy.

Surgery is an option for men with any risk group of prostate cancer that hasn't spread outside of the prostate gland. The type of surgery most often used is called a radical prostatectomy.

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the entire prostate, along with some tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles that release fluid into the semen. Your doctor can perform this through a traditional open procedure with one large incision or several small incisions called laparoscopic surgery.

Surgery side effects may include erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. Fortunately, the side effects are usually temporary and there are ways to help you manage them.

Life After Cancer

Many cancer warriors often gain a renewed outlook on life after a cancer diagnosis. SurvivorNet has shared many cancer warriors' stories that demonstrate this. Many of these survivors find continued joy, happiness, and a sense of gratitude after they've overcome cancer.

 

WATCH: Living with gratitude.

Gratitude means being thankful for what you have and showing appreciation for it. It's a mindset that helps people going through tough times and our SurvivorNet experts encourage cancer warriors and their loved ones to practice gratitude.

Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told SurvivorNet that his patients who live with gratitude tend to handle treatment better because this attitude is one way to stay mentally healthy.

We all know battling cancer or disease can be extremely stressful. If you're able to find things that you are grateful for can help manage the stress. Stress and anxiety can lead to physical issues, and practicing gratitude can help get both under control.

"The patients who do well with cancer, they live life with that kind of gratitude, but in terms of everything," he explained. "They're grateful, not for cancer, but they're grateful for an opportunity to know that life is finite."

Questions for Your Doctor

If you have experienced symptoms associated with prostate cancer or have a screening coming up, here are some questions you may ask your doctor:

• How long will it take to learn if my PSA levels warrant further testing?
• If I have elevated PSA levels, what could be causing that besides cancer?
• What are the treatment options that are best suited for me based on my risk level?
• How long will my potential treatment prevent me from working or continuing normal activities?
• What financial resources exist to help me with the costs associated with treatment?

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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