|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
More Men
Should Get Tested
Carl is an active 72-year-old, married man with one son. At the age of
55, he started screening for Prostate Cancer, going to his doctor for a
test to measure the level of Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) in his
blood as well as for a Digital Rectal Examination. He continued to go
for regular early detection tests until a few years ago when the PSA
test came back showing an elevated level of Antigen in the blood. He had
followed-up with treatment and surgery and today leads an active and
vibrant life. He eats and sleeps well, does a little farming during
which he clambers up and down the hill, and exercises regularly.
When reflecting on his experience with cancer, he has this to say,
"Early detection probably saved my life. If I hadn’t found it in time I
don’t know what would have happened. I have seen brochures about how it
can spread to the bone. A cousin of mine had it and found out too late
and by that time nothing much could be done. He died under very painful
circumstances. I am really glad there are tests available and if more
men did it, it would save lives. I don’t know why men are so reluctant
to go for testing. I think it is the stigma of homosexuality and the
fear of invasion. Some men feel it affects their masculinity."
On the subject of prostate cancer and sexuality he observes, "Some men
feel that it will affect their sex life and would prefer to die rather
than lose the ability to have sex. I know of a man who recently found
out and he said that if he had surgery and couldn’t have sex he would
kill himself. So many men prefer not to know. But I would advise men not
to think of losing their sex life but think of living and positive
well-being".
Carl thinks that not enough persons are cognizant of the importance of
early detection for prostate cancer and feels that there are even
doctors who need to be more aware. He feels this way because his cousin
had been having pain in the hips and had been diagnosed and treated for
arthritis. But he counsels men to discuss the matter with their doctor
with a view to finding out about the tests. He ends by saying, "Get
tested, think of the trauma that your family will go through if you die.
Do it for yourself and for your family."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copyright © 2006 Jamaica Cancer Society :: All Rights Reserved |
 |
|
 |
|
|
