Michael1942's Blog

Men’s Health

Letter To men And Boys

 At some point in life, you will need to see a doctor. When you are young and living at home, your parents or guardian will usually see to that. When you are on your own, it becomes your job to take on that duty. It is important that you do so. According to your means, you need to seek and find a physician that you can see at least once a year (twice is better). With all of the different specialties available, you should look for a “family medicine physician”. Please pay attention to this: upon selecting someone, first step is taking to whomever you select to get a sense of comfort, if there is no comfort, there will be no trust no matter how qualified they are. Ask questions (not “gottchas”) that relate to your personal health as you understand it. Be satisfied with answers before continuing. Understand that Doctors are people first and like anyone else they have faults. “Pick your doctor like you pick your friends”. Once you have accepted this caregiver, what should follow is a complete workup to determine a “baseline” on your health aside form from any defined or ongoing conditions. This workup will include lab work (blood and urine usually and ask the question if you need to fast prior to the lab work). In the physical part according to your age, there maybe an unpleasant part involving palpitation of the prostate (it is pronounced prostate not prostrate). This is done by insertion of a digit in to the rectum (which neither of you will enjoy). This process is important because prostate cancer is slow growing and can go undetected for years. Part of the lab work will involve measurement of your “PSA” (Prostate Specific Antigen) which helps determine the health of your prostate gland. All of this is wordy and boring but the advice I feel is sound and may put you on a path to a healthier life. Now the ugly stuff: if at some point (hopefully never) you receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer, the choices are usually surgery, radiation or chemo.

Side Effects: Surgery- possible incontinence, impotence.

                       Radiation-Could Cause stroke symptoms, incontinence, impotence

                       Chemo- impotence, incontinence, loss of hair, taste.

All of these side effects may be permanent or temporary and may vary according to your general health and co morbidity.

As a prostate cancer survivor, I personally recommend the surgery as first choice as the side effects are something you can LIVE with. Simply put, find a personal physician that you like and can talk to comfortably about your health, follow their suggestions, maintain a good diet, exercise and live a long time.

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