for all you guys over 40

[USAbasedredleg]

For all you guys over 40. don't forget to have your annual check up and get the finger and a blood test.

Glad I did as last year they diagnosed me with first stage cancer. Luckily they caught it very very early so they have planted radioactive seeds and so far looks like that will be that. (another guy we know did not do it and he is now in real trouble- cancer has spread and he looks like being a 50/50 case after they did a total removal of the prostate.


don't do a Teddy Whitten!

sorry to post such a serious topic, but I rang my brother at Xmas and found he had never done either and also never had a colonoscopy after 50 ( he is now 56).

checks are not just for the Sheilas guys!


go the Legs!

[psyber]

I support USA there.

I'd been having the blood tests, but none of my GPs over the years had actually done a rectal examination to feel the gland.
So, last year I asked to see a Physician, whom I knew was thorough. He did the physical examination and ordered Ultrasound scans.
The upshot was that the gland was very large, but although the PSA levels in the blood had risen above the normal range they were still relatively low.
Conclusion: the enlargement was "almost certainly benign", but it was worth getting a Urologist's opinion anyway.

The Urologist agreed with the probabilities, but in view of the quick rise in PSA suggested a biopsy anyway.
It was just as well - there was a low grade cancer.
We discussed treatment options and the odds for each, and I elected to go to the more radical treatment of full Prostatectomy as it was the most certain of a good long-term outcome.
The cancer was 6mm in diameter and fully contained within the gland.
We got it before there were any secondary deposits.

So yes, get check ups, and make sure they include the "finger".
And if there is any abnormality found at all insist on seeing a Urologist rather than trusting to the odds.

[JK]

Family member of mine has just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer, and he would be the fittest bloke I knows .. Has always detested smoking, rarely drinks (and even then it's like 1 beer), cycles or runs everyday and regularly compete's in triathlons .. Don't let your pride get in the way fellas, prevention is always better than cure.