Prostate Cancer hasn’t touched my life directly, although I know men who have experienced this journey. It is a cancer that has a high success rate if caught early and yet the stigma surrounding men talking about it, means that everyone could be doing more to encourage them to be open and of course, to GET TESTED.
As Editor of A Birdies View, I was recently asked to attend a charity event to encourage women to vocalise their concerns on behalf of their partners.
Women are on the whole, more communicative and open about personal or emotional topics, as well as often having larger social networks with whom they may discuss health related issues. Whereas men are less likely to talk about cancer. Possibly due to societal expectations of masculinity and that discussing concerns might be a sign of weakness. Possibly because it never comes up!
Medi8, who hosted the event are working with Prostate Cancer UK to raise awareness of Prostate cancer and that early detection is vital.
In a male-dominated sport like golf, women members could be instrumental in encouraging then men there to be tested. The focus of the event at Little Aston brought together women who had lost loved ones to prostate cancer, and women who were supporting their loved ones,but also also men who had survived this cancer.
There are two people that stood out at that event. Our playing partner Jilly, who’s husband had survived Prostate Cancer, but who’s brother in law had died from it (her nephew Anthony was playing that day in honour of his father.)
And David, who passionately told his story and applauded the support of his wife. Having survived prostate cancer first time, the cancer had returned. His second diagnosis became the inspiration to help others, and he organised an event at his club to raise awareness of the importance of regular testing. Of the over 400 men at his club, David convinced 90 of them to take the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, of which ten members showed a raised PSA and went on to be successfully treated.
How great is that?
Does that inspire you to take action? To hold an event at YOUR club, and help to reduce the stigma around the testing process?
Normalising the conversations about health.
The media should be encouraged to interview male public figures and celebrities who have experienced prostate cancer and ask them to talk openly about their journeys and to encourage others to get tested, but probably the most powerful tactic is to encourage men who have undergone testing to share their personal experiences with others in their social circles.
More often, the media doesn't help as they search for more ‘dramatic headlines’. It's also possible some men fear the dreaded “finger up the bum” test. This is a misunderstanding that could stops men from taking action.
In fact the first test is a a simple blood test. The PSA test measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Elevated levels can be an indicator of prostate cancer, or other prostate conditions.
Following this blood test there may be a requirement for Advanced Imaging and Biopsy—for example an MRI—to get a clearer picture of the prostate and assess any suspicious areas.
The DRE is a quick and straightforward test that can be done during a routine physical exam.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation “Prostate cancer often has no symptoms until the disease is advanced, and screening may help detect cancer early, when the chances of treatment success are high.”