A powerful article on prostate cancer

Quartz

Quartz

Quartz

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This Guardian article on prostate cancer is well worth reading:

www.theguardian.com

‘My father’s death saved my life’: director Steve McQueen on grief, gratitude and getting cancer

After his dad died at 67, the 12 Years a Slave film-maker knew it was only a matter of time before he would get prostate cancer, too. The disease kills 12,000 men a year in the UK – a disproportionate number of them black. Now, in a bid to save lives, he is speaking out about his own diagnosis...
www.theguardian.com www.theguardian.com

For reference, I have an enlarged prostate and evident issues so it's actually somewhat comforting.

Get yourselves tested, guys.
 
My Dad was diagnosed late last year and had treatment in January for about 3 weeks, I took him to some of the appointments.

I got myself tested after that with a simple blood test, and luckily my PSA level was very low.
 
I should do as my Dad had prostate problems as well although with all the blood tests I have for other things I would hope it would picked up pretty quickly.
 
Cromulent said:
I should do as my Dad had prostate problems as well although with all the blood tests I have for other things I would hope it would picked up pretty quickly.
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They only monitor for specific things, PSA is not routinely monitored. The GP will do the inspection and you will fill out a form about frequency if urination etc. Then they should do the PSA test if there are indicators. I went to the GP on retirement as I was getting up several times a night and was found to have an enlarged prostateblood tests and biopsies etc. followed. I would not have known in the ordinary way as many people as they get older have these slight night time issues.
 
Hagar said:
They only monitor for specific things, PSA is not routinely monitored. The GP will do the inspection and you will fill out a form about frequency if urination etc. Then they should do the PSA test if there are indicators. I went to the GP on retirement as I was getting up several times a night and was found to have an enlarged prostateblood tests and biopsies etc. followed. I would not have known in the ordinary way as many people as they get older have these slight night time issues.
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Ah, I see. Thank you. I guess I should ask the next time I see the GP in that case.
 
Hagar said:
They only monitor for specific things, PSA is not routinely monitored. The GP will do the inspection and you will fill out a form about frequency if urination etc. Then they should do the PSA test if there are indicators. I went to the GP on retirement as I was getting up several times a night and was found to have an enlarged prostateblood tests and biopsies etc. followed. I would not have known in the ordinary way as many people as they get older have these slight night time issues.
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Every year I buy my own check kits for prostate and bowel cancer. They don't cost that much and it gives me a little peace of mind (I have quite bad anxiety at times triggered by health stuffs).

I had a CT scan recently, for something else, but it showed I have a slightly enlarged prostate but in line with someone that is 47 years old, apparently. My dad's prostate is enlarged and he needed an operation to relieve things so he could pee easier. I suspect I'll go the same way as whilst I still flow adequately it isn't what it used to be :cry: I too get up one or two times a night alas I'm in a tricky situation as annoyingly anxiety can cause this too. That said when my anxiety is in full flow I can be up 5 or so times a night.

If I could have more screenings I would. They are my route to settling my rather annoying thoughts or doom and gloom.
 
Gixer said:
Every year I buy my own check kits for prostate and bowel cancer. They don't cost that much and it gives me a little peace of mind (I have quite bad anxiety at times triggered by health stuffs).

I had a CT scan recently, for something else, but it showed I have a slightly enlarged prostate but in line with someone that is 47 years old, apparently. My dad's prostate is enlarged and he needed an operation to relieve things so he could pee easier. I suspect I'll go the same way as whilst I still flow adequately it isn't what it used to be :cry: I too get up one or two times a night alas I'm in a tricky situation as annoyingly anxiety can cause this too. That said when my anxiety is in full flow I can be up 5 or so times a night.

If I could have more screenings I would. They are my route to settling my rather annoying thoughts or doom and gloom.
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Also had a fit test and mri.
What is the prostate check? Definitely interested.
 
413x said:
Also had a fit test and mri.
What is the prostate check? Definitely interested.
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you buy a glove and then you find out who your best mate really is :)

I'm guessing its the PSA test, which is a blood test. AFAIK, on it's own it's not a fantastically reliable indicator, as it can have false positives and false negatives. I know a guy that does a bit of cycling, and hes been told to stop cycling for 2 weeks before his repeat test. So looks like sitting on a saddle regularly can give a false reading.

My brother has early stage prostate cancer. He had the 20 days of radio treatment 2 years ago and so far so good.
 
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tangey said:
you buy a glove and then you find out who your best mate really is :)

I'm guessing its the PSA test, which is a blood test. AFAIK, on it's own it's not a fantastically reliable indicator, as it can have false positives and false negatives. I know a guy that does a bit of cycling, and hes been told to stop cycling for 2 weeks before his repeat test. So looks like sitting on a saddle regularly can give a false reading.

My brother has early stage prostate cancer. He had the 20 days of radio treatment 2 years ago and so far so good.
Click to expand...
This is true

They told me not to cum for at least 48 hours before my test!
 
413x said:
Also had a fit test and mri.
What is the prostate check? Definitely interested.
Click to expand...
I use test kits made by 'selfcheck'. These can be bought from Superdrug or online. The prostate test you have to jab a finger and drop some blood into the tester and wait. It will simply tell you if your PSA is elevated. If it is at that point you take yourself to see the doctor to have it followed up. As mentioned though a positive result doesn't always mean cancer and a negative result doesn't always mean cancer clear. If you've symptoms but a negative result you should still follow up with a doctor, at least I would. Be sure to read the instructions as like others have mentioned there are certain things you mustn't do prior to carrying out the test.
 
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I turned 40 last year so I really should be paying more attention to this sort of thing, it's easy to let it slip your mind but it really shouldn't.

Shame that we don't have a more on the ball approach to male health issues honestly, for women it's something that seems part and parcel of most of their lives but I think most blokes just feel it's not necessary until middle age and by that point you often develop the mindset of "I feel fine, why bother?"
 
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I should get a PSA test i guess. 61 and my pee sometimes dribbles out! Very weak stream on occasions...

Had doc exam a year ago but all ok. No PSA test though....just the finger!!
 
My dad got it 12 years ago the only symptom I think was he needed to go to the toilet more during the night.

They caught it very early though, and I mean very early it was literally a cell but the doctors knew it was going to turn bad so it was allowed to grow I think he had radiotherapy etc but cant remember.

Ive had the physical check done myself a few times it really isnt bad and nothing you should be scared of.

My dad been battling skin cancer though carcinoma which is the tumor type for the last few years, he been through the wars bless him he had a rare reaction to immunotherapy after 12 months causing him rashes and blisters.

It is abit scary to think as prostate cancer is hereditary, I try and keep fit as much as possible though but the big c takes no prisoners.
 
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