Rich Dinges
R. A. Dinges
June is National Cancer Survivor Month, and 80-year old SaddleBrooke resident and 20-year prostate cancer survivor Rich Dinges encourages men to get checked regularly for prostate cancer. Today, Rich stands proof that early cancer detection and treatment can result in a healthy and productive after-cancer life.
The recent prostate cancer diagnosis of former president Joe Biden illustrates that even one of the world’s most medically screened individuals can become a cancer statistic.
For Rich, the result of a 2005 PSA screening detected his advancing prostate cancer, and within weeks, he was hospitalized and had a radical removal of his prostate gland and lymph nodes. Weeks later, further testing revealed that all the cancerous cells had been removed. Rich continues to be thankful to God for this positive outcome.
Rich, a U.S. Air Force veteran, continued employment as a teacher and school counselor and retired after working for a period which spanned five decades.
Today, Rich lives an active life and credits a healthy diet, positive outlook, and regular exercise program to his longevity and good health. Usually at the Fitness Center five or six days a week, his workout varies between strength training, push-ups, cardio, sit-ups, and stretching. Because, as we age, the prevention of serious injury resulting from falls is critical, Rich includes a balance routine to enhance his stability, equilibrium, and posture.
Rich’s message to SaddleBrooke residents is that it is up to each of us, as individuals, to keep fit and exercise, eat nutritiously, and sleep well. The benefits are there for the taking, and the results are the pathway to a more enjoyable and healthy retirement.
Rich continues to maintain, “Not to do something—anything, no matter how small a step—is never an excuse to do nothing.”