March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month – though I've seen very little in the media about this. According to the Prostate Cancer Charity, 70% of men don't know where the prostate is, let alone what it does. Prostate cancer affects almost as many men as breast cancer affects women. There are 35,000 men diagnosed every year with prostate cancer compared to 44,000 women with breast cancer. 10,000 men die of prostate cancer every year compared with just over 12,000 women that die of breast cancer each year.
Now that's cheered you all up, think of the warning signals. Basically this is men having trouble peeing. This doesn't mean they have cancer – it tends to happen with age – but it's always worth trying to get them to go and see their GP (I find threatening divorce usually works).
Treatment is varied but often is hormone therapy (taken via tablet form) which is usually very successful. There are side effects, one of which can be inability to get an erection. Depending on age, this might not matter, but for younger men (and/or their wives) this can be very upsetting.
Still, if this does happen, there are instances (dependent on the medical background of the man) where a Viagra type drug can be supplied. Always ask your GP or specialist nurse.
So the motto of this is that every cloud has a silver lining. In other words, yes, it is possible to get Viagra on the NHS!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Very well said, Fp. Early awareness of testicular cancer (both by him and clued up GP) saved my husband's life. Don't be embarassed, get checked out is the message so well done for pointing it out.
Chris - thanks for that endorsement. I wish more people - and GPs - were clued up.
I heard on the news today that testing for all men over 50 is on the cards - not before time!
Ak - that's good news.
I dont mind doing all the checking of the blokes LOL
fanks for bringing this into the light by your post.....
x
It is very important as you stress here. Men do often find it difficult to go to their doctor, not sure if it's a case of the silly male pride that takes over. Thank you for this very informative post.
It's always epilepsy awareness month this month and again, not much coverage. I will be blogging on Thursday 26th March (Purple Day for Epilepsy) about the condition, from experience.
CJ xx
My step-father was diagnosed with this last year, and was immediately given treatment. As they found his cancer so early (he is checked regularly because of his family history) he made a full recovery.
Marmie - youd make an excellent checker!
Crystal - and thanks for telling us about epilepsy awareness month also.
Debs - I'm so glad he made a good recovery. Just shows what early detection can do...
Post a Comment