F110

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

September 02 2014

Hi men, September is International Prostate Cancer Awareness month. Prostate cancer accounts for around a third of cancers diagnosed in men every year. The number of men currently living with prostate cancer in Australia is about 120.000 and this number rises significantly every year (a predicted 267.000 by the year 2017!) Luckily it's one of the cancers that is very treatable and has one of the highest survival rates. Men over 50 should be checked, as well as men over 40 who have a family history of prostate cancer. Just quickly: What is the prostate? In short the prostate is an organ forming part of the male reproductive system. Its main function is to produce fluid which protects and enriches sperm.It is located right below the bladder and in front of your bowel. What are the major signs that something isn't right with your prostate? - Walking often at night to pee- A sudden or urgent need to pee- Trouble when starting to pee- A slow flow of urine and difficulty stopping- Discomfort when peeing- Ejaclutating is painful- Finding blood in your urine or sperm- A low sex drive (if you did not have one before) - Trouble getting an erection Testing these days can still involve a finger up the bum, but you can also opt for a simple blood test. So, since we have a lot of men in the age groups mentioned above: Have you been tested? If not, what is holding you back? Any stories? Wise words for the younger generation? x (All info from the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia website.)

Comments

RHP User

10 years ago

I think it is up to all RHP women to massage all the RHP men's prostrates this month! :P

reply

like
Tall74nHard9

10 years ago

One for your spellcheck perhaps.... I would definitely prefer to walk for a pee than stay in bed for the consequences ..... Joke aside very timely reminder - well done. Tall

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

Thanks for the correction, but I was more hoping for answers to my questions.

reply

like
Tall74nHard9

10 years ago

Quoting 'Meander' Thanks for the correction, but I was more hoping for answers to my questions. your quest, have been tested (last year methinks). I have a very diligent GP, and I am a very diligent patient, and I make sure that if he forgets to watch out for something, I'll give him reminders. He was the one who first caught signs of my Leukeamia back in 2000, and has kept tabs on all the likely little 'irritants' that may come along as I age. He suggests things, I will question him, and we work well in partnership. I have blood tests done on average every 6 weeks so I hopefully am keeping my GP and other specialists well enough informed on my general condition, with enough time to spot something unusual if it may arise. Wise words not only for the younger ones, but for all, is to shop around for a good GP - one who will bother to take their time to thoroughly check you out. Have had 'nice' GP's previously, but they did miss out on some critical signs at times and possibly could have saved me some heartache. If a GP isn't bothered to send you for a variety of checks over time, find someone who will. You never know when you could find something early that could save problems later on. Tall

reply

like
Hottie1

10 years ago

Men's health is close to my heart because my beautiful man is at home recovering from kidney cancer. Diligence on my part and his, meant that when he found a lump in his groin he got it checked out and in checking that, they accidentally stumbled across tumors in his kidney - three weeks ago he had his left kidney removed which was riddled with a cancer rated 3 out of 4 in severity. Like prostrate cancer, if found early patients can make a full recovery. I urge all men to please have all your regular checks - especially prostrate or anything that seems unusual for you. Be around for the people who love you. Mary 💋xx

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

The problem here is emotional strength (social) as well as physical. The symptoms listed can often be vague, or assigned to some other cause and as men are literally hopeless (in general) at engaging in a regular conversation (read check up) with their Doctor, the problem can go undiagnosed for a long time. Luckily, women have become much more "breast aware" and it is not uncommon for them to discuss health issues with each other at social events. Whilst men have been "breast aware" since teenagers, we remain bloody hopeless at sharing health concerns on male health issues. For what it's worth, my group of friends break the ice by discussing the testing process in a "joke like" fashion, (the disease is no joke but the finger up the bum can be). We've all used the line that we wish the "doctor had thinner fingers" or "bought flowers first?" I'm a big strong guy but I still squeal from the sound of latex when the Doctor goes where no man has ever been! However, in all seriousness, I know people in the workplace who have suffered incontinence, erectile dysfunction and metastasis (spreading) from cancer of that "little gland" and regrettably, it can be a very painful long-term way to go. Regardless, diagnosis will always extend life so awareness and action are small prices to pay to delay your inevitable check out. Believe it or not, some Doctors still believe testing should not be mandatory as intervention may be riskier than the long term prognosis. My personal view is that testing is the only way to find out and if there is any family history of the disease, testing should be compulsory. Full kudos to those who raise awareness as More awareness means more men to talk football with on Monday.

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

Men tend to know the prostate is there and that it should be checked but are crap at setting aside the time to actually get it looked at. A work colleague lost his brother in his early 40's to prostate cancer. It turned out their family had a genetic predisposition to prostate cancer. My colleague went in to get himself checked after his brother died. Blood work came back negative but he asked for a biopsy which came back positive. If he hadn't gone that extra step, he would have died 5 years ago. I always remember his story when I go for my annual poke.

reply

like
lovman8

10 years ago

I know several men with prostate cancer. Two friends who had it were dead with in 6 months of being diagnosed. I also know men who have had it for a long period (one who is now in his eighties and still quite fit who has had it for over 20 years) and it seems that it will be something else that will kill them in the end.So it is true that in many cases it is very treatable, some times it is very virulent. My own story is being some one who rarely goes to the doctor, when I reached 50 I decided I should have a general health check and had one before I turned 53. Had the finger up the bum and the blood test too. The blood test is not an absolute test for prostate cancer, especially as a one off test. However if readings from subsequent test are compared to earlier tests and show a sharp rise in I think it is protein levels it is a good indicator of prostate cancer. My third test at the age of 60 showed such an increase and according to my doctor he could tell from the finger in the bum my prostate was very enlarged. SO off for tests and luckily it was diagnosed as a benign enlargement of the prostate. Sigh of relief from me! So I still have a swollen prostate and often have to get up in the night to pee, find my stream is very slow and I have trouble completely emptying my bladder. I had this tested by drinking a litre of water and then after a period of time went for an ultra sound test before and after pissing. Interesting sitting in the waiting room for the ultra sound with all the pregnant women. It seems I can only about 85% empty my bladder. Another effect is I have trouble maintaining erections and don't get as hard as I use to. My libido hasn't been affected and I still have 8 to 12 orgasms a week. These symtoms are caused by the swollen prostate pressing on the urethra which pass through the prostate. It seems I could have an operation to relieve this pressure but I have elected not to have it yet as I have heard it is not aalways successful and I am not in pain or particularly inconvenienced by it. I am about due for another check up so perhaps I'll take meeka up on her offer to stick her finger up me???

reply

like
Plain

10 years ago

And being given the all clear for another five years however went for more of these tests than the average bloke over the last 10 years, not purely for the prostate cancer but other things as well. There is a strong link in our family with this my father has it being treated and is ok, so we have been warned. Still dont like the sounds of latex gloves been put on though. Meeka you are scaring the blokes away with that statement tehe!

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

Now it's Prostember ;) Great topic meander xx - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

Hate to say it but the finger up the bum is much more accurate than the blood test. Mr had 25% carcinoma of the prostate and the PSA (blood test) was still in normal range, his Urologist found it when removing his kidney via keyhole, had a look around with the camera whilst inside his abdomen - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

Timely reminder... thanks.. Jay

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

I thought that movember was all about this? - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like
Tall74nHard9

10 years ago

Quoting 'sir_stir' Now it's Prostember ;) Great topic meander xx - Posted from rhpmobile What have you got lined up for Christmas .... ? Tall

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

Quoting 'sir_stir' Now it's Prostember ;) Knockertober?

reply

like
RHP User

10 years ago

HAHAHAHA love it..... - Posted from rhpmobile

reply

like

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Comments

Tags

Boards

Forum help