How is it November already?
Or Movember, as it’s been known to us for the past 14 years since my Dad died from Prostate cancer. Movember is about raising awareness of men’s health problems; originally it was focussed on prostate and testicular cancers.
Apart from the obvious dangly bits, men generally have very little knowledge about what happens in our bodies. Coupled with the fact that we don’t like to show weakness or talk about anything strange occurring, it can lead to seemingly simple things becoming more complicated.
Which is essentially what happened with my Dad, he was treated for an infection for 12 months before he let me know that something wasn’t right. His GP simply kept repeating the prescription rather than realising that if an antibiotic isn’t having a positive affect within a couple of weeks, it very possibly isn’t an antibiotic problem.
So what is the prostate gland and why is it important?
It’s about the size and shape of a walnut. It sits under the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that we pee and ejaculate through. It’s role is to produce semen, the fluid that carries sperm.
It tends to grow as we age and can cause issues with urine flow.
The main problem is when cancer causes prostate cells to reproduce too quickly and result in a tumour. We’ve all heard stories of doctors with 13” fingers checking it 👈 and put off seeing or talking to anybody about anything unusual we’re feeling.
That’s completely separate to the fact that blokes just don’t talk to each other enough about health and emotions. Add in the trials and tribulations of getting a GP appointment and that pretty much guarantees we’re not going to bother.
There is a quick and easy blood test you can have to see if you are currently at risk; they aren’t routine age related checks but you can ask your GP for one. Alternatively, you can book one privately through here – https://mypsatests.org.uk
It’s not 100% accurate but gives a baseline of whether you need further investigation. If you are over 50, it’s worth doing. If you are black or have a family history of prostate cancer, that age reduces to 45.
Get it booked.
As always, I’ve started the month clean shaven and will be growing a moustache during Movember, along with my long term partner in crime Graham. He’ll already be showing a heavy growth, mine will hopefully be visible by the end of next week 🤣
Darren “smooth” Checkley
