Don Laka reveals battle with prostate cancer
Music veteran Don Laka has for the first time opened up about being diagnosed with prostate cancer five years ago.
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA FEBRUARY 22: Jazz musicin Don Laka during an interview on February 22, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. Laka is disgruntled about the SABC, and says the public broadcaster plays more US music than local, leaving local artists poor as the money they earn is based on the airtime they get. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Peter Mogaki)
According to TshisaLIVE, Don revealed that he has been receiving treatment and is doing well.
The musician told the publication that he has always been an advocate for men getting tested on a regular basis.
He revealed that he was diagnosed with the disease during one of his regular checkups several years ago.
“I go for regular checkups and I post to remind people that they need to also. I will continue to do that as long as there are people there to support me. I have never shared my results before but I have been diagnosed with it. It was five years ago. I am on medication and I am fine.
“It is manageable, but if you do not go for checkups you will not know the signs of cancer. They can isolate it at an early stage and you live a normal life,” he said.
Don’s close friend and jazz legend Hugh Masekela died in January after a lengthy battle with prostate cancer.
Don said that Hugh’s diagnosis years ago made him think about men in rural areas who were dying from the disease because of a lack of education.
He added that it was the reason he was so passionate about spreading awareness.
“When Bra Hugh was diagnosed with prostate cancer almost 20 years ago, he called me. He told me that he had prostate cancer. It made me realise that many men, especially in rural areas, are dying because it is not detected and treated. They don’t go for tests,” Don said.
The music veteran is determined to help get rid of the stigma attached to the disease by sharing messages on social media on a regular basis.
