Actor Hiram Kasten dies; also known for TV appearances in hits such as *Saved by the Bell*, Seinfeld, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Kasten was 71 years old at the time of his death. He struggled with a host of health issues for seven years that included Crohn's disease and prostate cancer. He died peacefully in his home in Batavia, New York, in the arms of his wife, Diana Kisiel Kastenbaum, shortly after their anniversary, marking 38 years of marriage.
In Memory of Hiram Kasten
Hiram Kasten had an impressive multi-decade-long career in TV history. His consummate comic ability in every character role he essayed makes him inimitable in fan hearts across generations. Thus, the death of Kasten is not an easy loss to digest—not only for family and friends but all of us die-hard fans who grew up with his comedies.
News of his passing was announced by an obituary that appeared on his Facebook page. According to the status he received much love from his family, especially his wife Diana, through his myriad battles. Funeral services are to be conducted for Kasten at the Schwartz Brothers-Jeffers Memorial Chapel in Forest Hills in New York.
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Understanding Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a type of disease that majorly affects the prostate, a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces seminal fluid. It is among the most common forms of cancer affecting men, although the seriousness of the many forms it takes can vary to a great extent. Whereas some prostate cancers grow very slowly and stay confined within its limits, showing little harm, others are very aggressive and might spread fast.
Possible Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
As per Dr Samir Gupta, Professor and HOD of Surgical Oncology at Dr. D.Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, prostate cancer does not have any noticeable symptoms at its earliest stage; thus frequent screening is crucial to an early diagnosis. As the cancer matures further, many symptoms could include the following:
- Difficulty with urination.
- Weakened urine flows.
- Blood within the urine or semen in the ejaculate.
- Pain in the bones.
- Intentional loss in weight.
- Erectile dysfunction.
Risk Factors
Several factors can increase a person's chance of getting prostate cancer, including:
- Age: A person's risk for prostate cancer drastically increases after age 50.
- Race: Black men do tend to show a higher risk with this disease and, if affected, on average, the diseases are more aggressive in nature
- Family History: In people with a history of prostate cancer occurring in the family, it can double the risk. Moreover, it is also known to occur due to genetic changes that are responsible for causing breast cancer BRCA1 and BRCA2.
- Obesity: Several studies have validated that obesity has some association with the risk of developing aggressive forms of prostate cancer.
Prevention and Management
Although there have been no sure ways to prevent prostate cancer, one can make lifestyle changes that lower its risk. These include:
- Healthy Diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can boost general health. This may not be conclusively proven to prevent prostate cancer but it helps one lead a healthy lifestyle.
- Regular Exercise: Getting physical activity most days of the week can fend off extra weight and improve general well-being.
- Healthy Weight: Good health requires a healthy weight. For those at unhealthy weights, weight loss, even modest weight loss, is recommended and should be attempted through energy-balanced dietary intake and regular physical activity.
Medical Consultation
Patients who are considered at high risk for prostate cancer should discuss ways to prevent the disease with their doctors. Prevention Drugs like 5-alpha reductase inhibitors have been shown to lower risk but may have risks of their own, including an increased risk of developing high-grade prostate cancer.
Bottomline
The unfortunate and untimely death of Hiram Kasten reminds us of the never-ending fight against prostate cancer being faced by so many. He has definitely left his mark on the entertainment world, but the context of his struggle with prostate cancer teaches us that every person must have awareness and early detection together with proactive health checkups. We all remember this in this regard: not allowing all of his fights and deaths to be in vain but being aware of the risks, symptoms, and prevention strategies relevant to prostate cancer—all for the sake of memory and to help in this long, endless fight against this rampaging disease.