Men's fear and shyness

hi frank

you need to pick up that camera and get back out clicking away

my health issues can walk a bit further than yourself 2miles max, or 5 miles on my bike, do each one every other day, gives me shortness of breath, very hot n sweaty + tired legs

am still working but finish at 1pm each day

regards

nidge

It is well known that women are far more proactive than men when it comes to health. There are probably a number of reasons for this but one of these is most likely to be because most women have are more closely involved with the daily responsibility of the health of their children and caring for elderly parents and this involves looking after their own health. Men seem to deal with health problems as they arise and then often only when they have experienced symptoms for some time or been pushed to seek medical advice by wives/partners or girlfriends.

Men need to be better educated about health and things to look out for and a change of attitude is required. As regards PCa, I think this is happening, gradually. In recent years there has been much more in the media about it and people discuss it far more openly. There have been publicity campaigns such as instigated by this charity and various events to raise funds and promote awareness. More progress needs to be made but this is a very significant change from when I was diagnosed in 2007. Then I knew nothing whatsoever about PCa. The nearest thing I was aware of was to check for lumps in testicles. Had I know about PCa I would have had PSA and DRE tests far earlier as a matter of course and my cancer would likely have been found earlier thereby giving a better chance of successful treatment. In fact it was only found when my GP suggested that when testing my blood for a very different reason it was also tested for PSA.

I dealt with my diagnosis by doing a great deal of research but otherwise determined I would carry on as far and as long as possible doing the things I was doing and wanted to do. Some people are unfortunate in various ways in life and you just have to make the best of your situation.

Hello friends,

thank you so much for your kind replies.

As for myself, unlike most men ( not our members of course ), I have always been pro-active regarding my own health. Perhaps my GPs through the years have considered me a damn nuisance. Well I don't care.  I try to look after myself, the same way I try to look after my cars.

My brother in law, quietly drives me insane!  I have asked him a couple times to go and have his prostate checked, he is almost 70 years old. He's dismissed my advice out of hand - because he's afraid!!  Afraid of what??  I didn't tell him anything, but I will ask him again, to reconsider his decision.  Isn't it better to be afraid or shy, only to find that there's nothing wrong?  Rather than wait 5 or 10 years, only to discover that unfortunately you now have advanced prostate cancer!

In my own circumstance, I was a little naiive, in just accepting my GPs lack of concern about my simple query.

Frank.

Hi Francesco
I'm afraid we are all a little different. I am 49 and locally advanced / probably advanced. I'm sure you've seen my profile. My brother is 51 and a fully qualified radiology consultant. He won't have the test. Do I blame him ?? No , not at all. He has zero symptoms like me , and I have been through two years of hell with now no cure. Did I want to go through with this ?? No. Did it help me ? No.
I think we can advise and try to help , but to be honest I wouldn't be pushing anyone to have a PSA test , as often the results are very hard to live with , even if one is technically cured.

It is very sad that some men undergo various treatments and despite doing so end up with adverse side effects with little or no prospects of improving life span and I empathise with men like Chris. However, I doubt very much that many men know about this in making a reasoned decision not to have a PSA test. (Lack of awareness is pretty clear from some of the profiles and questions men ask when they join this forum). It's lack of knowledge about PCa and the general attitude of men towards health. I can understand men deciding against treatment or PSA testing if they have considered what a PSA test and treatment might lead to but they just don't know in the way everybody knows about the increased risk of lung cancer and potentially other health problems if they smoke. This is because much has been made of the adverse effects of smoking for many years now, yet many still choose to ignore the risks - their bodies their choice.

Or in my case, my body, my sanity 😬

I was not having a pop against smokers or trying too make any moral judgements. I was a smoker for about 8 years and know the calming, if addictive effects this can have, though having conquered the habit I have managed and benefited without it for many years. The point I was making is that there has been much publicity including Government warnings and I have been asked many times if I am a smoker. Indeed, on my latest renewal prescription my local GP practice says they are updating their records and have again asked me this question. By comparison, how many men have their attention drawn to the PSA test and what it is for? So NICE saying that men should have the PSA test and it's implication explained to them before having it, in many cases doesn't come into it because they don't get to know about it or find out late in the day, yet alone consider it proactively. For those that are aware, one has to respect their decision to proceed with the PSA test and any treatment fully/partially or not.