Sorry folks but I have to shout this from the rooftops

D

DickB

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 Dec 2002
Messages
786
Location
Surrey, UK
Visit site
Six months ago I was down at the local surgery and having had some cajoling from my brothers (living in Canada) I had a PSA test and a DRE. Wot (I hear you cry) is that... Well these are tests fro Prostate Cancer - (A blood test and a digital rectal examination). GUess what - A small lump is found... I won't bore you with the detail but yesterday I was implanted with some radioactive seeds which kill off the tiny tumour.

All VERY scary stuff and being an upright British man I do not talk about things 'down there!!!' You know the water works and all that!!! And yet if I had not had this picked up the likelihood is that in about 5 - 6 years time this may have taken me to the great marina in the sky...

Now I know this is not Christmassy or even yachty but I am so thankful that this has been fixed well before it could become life threatening I just wnat to get every male (of an age) to go and submit themselves to the tiny indignity of having a doctor shove a (hopefully) well lubricated finger up there ar$e!!! It may save your life.

There are NO symptoms that you feel for the early stages of this cancer - Not one!!! It is 98% curable!!! (at this stage).

Anyway I know it is not reeally relevent to the forum but I also know that the vast majority of the forumites are 'of an age' where this might be relevent.

Sorry for the serious note when Christmas on upon us but it really is worth doing!!! Have a great Christmas - I will!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
Yeh, I'll second Gin's comments!! One of the times for real thanksgiving!!

Delighted for you and your family! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Glad its all going well.

I pretended for ages that a lump on my neck didnt exist.Finally ,when it was obvious to wife and kids and I was convinced I wouldnt see Christmas ,I got it checked out and luckilly it is harmless.

Why do most of us dilligently get our cars serviced and MOTd but postpone or ignore health issues?
 
Dont you just love digital rectal examinations at christmas! puts you on top of the world!!

Glad to hear things are going well. It is always a good idea to have these checks done!


Merry Xmas
TonyM
 
Hi Dick...glad you found it in time. A friend of mine in the midlands who taught me a lot of my sailing in the early days took part in a test study of sevral thousand guys recently and was shocked to find that though symptomless his PSA was higher than normal, as was that of several of his contemporaries. Offered a range of treatment he opted for Radiotherapy and Hormone therapy. Yes he developed small bosoms and joked about becoming a bearded lady, but his last test showed his PSA was back to below normal, and the bosoms are dissappearing as well. He feels very health and fit.
Glad you posted. And remember all you guys the PSA is a simple blood test, as to the rectal digitaL....well it is rumoured to be an old tart's trick for saving time........... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
Testicular and prostate cancer are two of the biggest killers in men, the former taking many young men each year.

Figures: Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of male cancer deaths (after lung cancer), 3 in 1000 men will get testicular cancer in their lifetime.

Yet the NHS attack this with smear test and mammary test campaigns actually calling all women over 25 or so in every couple of years.

Men - nothing, ignored.

Why are we not listed on a register for bi-annual checks which could save many lives, just the incentive of an appointment might make a few blokes turn up and live where they otherwise might not.

This irritates me as we seem forgotten.

Congratulations on your early treatment, at least now you will be able to really enjoy Christmas and many more, a good message. I hope a few forumites take on the message and get checked. You could have saved a few lives with this, makes you think!
 
Hi Dick - Last month, I, too, was found to have prostate cancer - quite by chance.

For some time, I'd been joking about the rate of peeing slowing down. Eventually, I went to find out why. My PSA was found to be slightly above normal, so I was referred to a Urologist. He carried out a TRUS (Trans Rectal Ultrasound) examination which showed a normal swelling of the prostate for my age (57) which was causing the constriction of the pee tube.

But at the same time, tests found the start of a cancer. Although not at the stage when action is taken, the doctor is using a Watch and Pounce strategy based on regular PSA tests.

So, although my cancer was found almost by chance, I now understand the need for men to give up this "male" attitude to not going to the doctor until it's too late.

I also concur that men should request PSA tests from, say, 50 onwards. Prostate cancer is one of the biggest killers of men, and often preventative treatment at an early stage would have saved life.

At the moment, there but for the grace of God go I.
 
Hi Dick

Congratulations mate
There`s so much bad news around it`s good to hear your good news.
Good health is something you take for granted untill you lose it.

Nice one and Have a good Christmas.

Pete
 
Hi Dick,

Yes just been there myself! PSA level a bit high so they ran all the tests you are talking about. Very happy to report they found no cancer at all. I don't recommend the biopsy though! great big gun thing up your jacksey and it fires with a great thud and bang into the prostate and it don't half hurt! You then bleed for the next few weeks from all the areas that you relieve yourself from!
Nasty! Still on the bright side I had a very attractive lady doctor feeling my prostate before the biopsy! managed to control myself though!!!

All you guys out there 50 or over I suggest you get it all checked out.

Barry
 
Nice to hear some good news, Dick... Enjoy your festive season!

My father (age 78) was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer... apparently along with 29,999 other men this year.... but in a very mild form, and as the specialist put it to him, at present other things are more likely to get him before this does!

A very useful, straightforward information site here for those that dont know.... but ought to take a little more notice!
 
Well I confess to be gobsmacked at the response... Thanks for all the kind words... I regard myself as fortunate, and as everyone else has said, anyone 'male and of an age (50+)' should make sure they get checked every year!!!

Have a great Christmas everyone...
 
Would also say don’t assume as your "young" you will be ok. I am 27 and last year I finally went to the doctor with chest pains and generally being run down. Turned out I had Lynphoma - had the Chemo and looking good so far. Before it happened I didn’t think it would at my age - I was lucky - it was quite advanced but treatment seemed to work. As my consultant said, he would rather seem people with nothing wrong than those that have left it too late!

Don’t delay if you have something you cant explain - whatever your age.

Steve
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

zoidberg
'This month's hot boating topic....'
2 3
Replies
42
Views
1K
tjbrace
tjbrace
stav
What sailing jacket have I worn out so I can ask for a new one from Santa?
Replies
9
Views
443
Boathook
Boathook

Share this page

Top