[malcolm]

Although I don't subscribe to Mr. Layton's brand of politics, I did feel compassion when I heard he was dealing with Prostate Cancer. As a 7 year survivor of Radical surgery, I am still around to enjoy my grandchildren and I wish him the very best of luck in his fight.

I also take this opportunity to encourage all males on this forum who are approaching or are over 40 to get their annual exam or if that is too threatening, then get a PSA blood test. Neither are 100% failsafe but then neither is life.

Take care of yourself because no one else can!

I urge the wives, friends, boyfriends and girlfriends on this forum, to hound the hell out of your male friends until they take the tests.

If anyone wants a personal insight into the treatment and side effects of treatment, feel very free to PM me.

A site to visit

Prostate Cancer Canada Site

[Moon The Loon]

I echo Malcolm's advice. My family has been blessed by an absence of cancer genes. That is only the luck of the draw. I'm not afraid to admit to the rubber glove treatment once a year.

For the record, I don't enjoy it ;)

[melcrothers]

Moon The Loon, on 08 February 2010 - 06:23 PM, said:

I echo Malcolm's advice. My family has been blessed by an absence of cancer genes. That is only the luck of the draw. I'm not afraid to admit to the rubber glove treatment once a year.

For the record, I don't enjoy it ;)

[melcrothers]

I whole heartedly agree with Malcolm as well. I had very elevated PSA on two occasions - had prostate biopsies with are unpleasant at best - but no markers to worry about. It now twice a year for the blood work to make sure. I'm 61 now, and my first incident was at 53 - so as stated.... get a PSA test!

[malcolm]

melcrothers, on 08 February 2010 - 06:35 PM, said:

I whole heartedly agree with Malcolm as well. I had very elevated PSA on two occasions - had prostate biopsies with are unpleasant at best - but no markers to worry about. It now twice a year for the blood work to make sure. I'm 61 now, and my first incident was at 53 - so as stated.... get a PSA test!

Gee Mel, when working for you I always thought of you as being older, I guess that is what being in Marketing does to one. http://theairlinewebsite.com/public/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif http://theairlinewebsite.com/public/style_emoticons/default/cool26.gif

[Moon The Loon]

Guys, the "finger" will detect swelling long before a true-positive PSA. A true-positive PSA may mean the disease is in an advanced stage. One of the big problems with the PSA test is the frequency of false-positives. One of the reasons it's not covered by most provincial health care plans is that it is still rated as "experimental". Bottom line, we're all guinea pigs for data collection.

So bend over, and try to .....

...nah, never mind :P

[malcolm]

Moon The Loon, on 08 February 2010 - 07:58 PM, said:

Guys, the "finger" will detect swelling long before a true-positive PSA. A true-positive PSA may mean the disease is in an advanced stage. One of the big problems with the PSA test is the frequency of false-positives. One of the reasons it's not covered by most provincial health care plans is that it is still rated as "experimental". Bottom line, we're all guinea pigs for data collection.

So bend over, and try to .....

...nah, never mind http://theairlinewebsite.com/public/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif

In actual fact the accuracy of the finger depends upon the location of the Cancer, in my case only the PSA test turned up the cancer and it took two biopsies to find it. So because of my personal experience I would recommend getting both. The PSA test only costs 35.00.

[J.O.]

My father's experience was similar to Malcolm's, so I would agree that both tests should be done. It's a yearly "take one for the team" moment for me. http://theairlinewebsite.com/public/style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif

[DEFCON]

Malcolm

"In actual fact the accuracy of the finger depends upon the location of the Cancer, in my case only the PSA test turned up the cancer and it took two biopsies to find it."

It's not that I disagree with your statement, but the accuracy of a ‘digital rectal exam’ is more frequently based on the skill of the ‘examiner’ rather than the location of the cancer in the prostate. Beyond the variance in individual skill levels, the average ‘examiner’ will need to conduct several hundred ‘gropes’ before he might be expected to attain a reliable degree of proficiency.

[malcolm]

As it happens, my tests were not carried out by my GP but rather at a Prostate Cancer Clinic where I was enrolled to participate in a study to determine if certain vitamins were / would be effective in treating Cancer, as part of the study all participants were required to take an exam along with the PSA blood test. There is no doubt in my mind that without the PSA test, the cancer would not have been found in time for the necessary treatment to be effective. The "grouper" in this instance was one who performed the test several times a day and had done so for years , in other words a specialist in Prostate Cancer.

But perhaps your personal experience is different. ....

[DEFCON]

Other than being the benefactor of the odd 'grope', I have yet to have a 'personal' experience.

[malcolm]

DEFCON, on 10 February 2010 - 10:07 AM, said:

Other than being the benefactor of the odd 'grope', I have yet to have a 'personal' experience.

And I hope you never do.