“I asked for a prostate exam at an annual check-it saved my life.”

Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 Irish men and is the most common cancer of men except nonmelanoma skin cancer. However, very few men are aware of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. That’s why this month, cancer treatment professionals are working on a Blue September campaign aimed at raising awareness about cancer in men and encouraging them to seek advice if they have concerns.

IKEA Kennedy visited a doctor two years ago for a routine test, recognizing that he needed to have his prostate tested, and asked for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test to be included in the test. , I know this advantage. ..

Further investigation revealed that he had cancer, but it was diagnosed early and he recovered completely.

“My journey began in March 2018 when I went to an annual checkup and asked to do a PSA test and I felt it was wise to do it,” says 64. .. “The nurse said that this is an expensive test and usually not done unless needed, so you need to check with your doctor, but it was approved and the doctor contacted you about the results about 10 days later. I did.

“I was informed that my PSA was at 15.7, which was the cause of my concern, and he requested an urgent appointment to the Rapid Access Clinic for a prostate biopsy. I attended the biopsy unit on April 6. He was then referred to a urologist. He was asked to bring his wife, Mailea, from the waiting room for results. “

Fearing the worst, Michael and Mileade were told that 6 of the 12 samples taken were cancerous and needed further testing to determine the size and stage of the cancer.

“The surgeon wasn’t very cautious when making the diagnosis, but it was quite a shock that he didn’t sink until after a while,” said a Galway man. “The next step is to do an MRI scan to get a picture of the cancer and its area, he said.

“This showed that most of the cancer was localized within the prostate, but some were also apparent outside the prostate, and showed that the glands were very close to the intestine, and the surgery It wasn’t an option.

“I was sent to a bone scan to see if the cancer had spread to the bone, but thankfully there was no evidence of it. The next step was a colonoscopy in the intestine. I checked for cancer. Some non-malignant polyps have been removed. “

Following these tests, Michael was referred to a radiation oncologist and prescribed a course of hormone therapy to shrink the prostate, a course of proximity radiation therapy, and then 23 rounds of radiation therapy.

“I was completely sedated and had no idea what was going on, so the proximity irradiation therapy itself was fine. Aside from the slight discomfort when I woke up, there was no pain.” He says. “I was able to watch a movie on my computer all night. The next morning, the catheter was removed and I had to pass my urine normally before I left. I had a blood clot for a while. It took a lot of effort to change the urethra when it was blocked. “

Michael was finally allowed to go home with antibiotics to prevent infection in preparation for the next radiation therapy completed in January 2019.

Thankfully he hadn’t had cancer since the end of treatment, but he had poor control of both the bladder and bowel (urgency and pain when passing through urine and constipation, rectal bleeding), erectile dysfunction There were some side effects such as.

However, despite these issues, he encourages him to ensure that his cancer is detected early and that other men follow his lead and be checked out by a doctor during the blue September and beyond. I am positive and grateful for doing so.

“For men who don’t like seeing a doctor, a PSA test is a simple blood test and can probably be arranged to be done by a medical nurse who is much quicker than having to wait for a doctor,” he says. “Think of it as an investment. The time it takes to test is very short, but it’s obvious, and it’s possible to rest easily until another test is done the following year, or if something is found. The position to do something about it as quickly as possible-it’s a win-win situation.

“I believe that all men over the age of 40 should have a PSA test each year and should start at age 30 if their family has a history of prostate cancer.”

It’s scary to get a diagnosis of cancer, but survivors say it’s not that bad.

“My advice for people who have just been told they have cancer is not an immediate death penalty, so they don’t panic,” he says. “Find as much as you can about a particular diagnosis and make it your business to educate yourself about prostate cancer. There are some great websites dealing with this issue, but Irish cancer Stick to well-known sites such as associations, the Marie Keating Foundation, and others like this.

“Also, find your nearest cancer support group. These are generally handled by cancer survivors who are knowledgeable and understand what you are experiencing as a survivor.

“I can’t understand what’s happening in the hearts of people with cancer other than those who have had cancer on their own.”

Helenforistal, director of nursing at the Marie Keating Foundation, says that the diagnosis of prostate cancer can be shocking, but it can be very curable if diagnosed early.

“Every year, more than 3,665 men in Ireland are diagnosed with prostate cancer. This may seem disturbing, but the good news is that if prostate cancer is detected early, it’s very good. It is treatable and has a survival rate of 93 pc five years after diagnosis, “she says.

“It is advisable to talk to the GP about the PSA test when a man with a family history of prostate or breast cancer turns 50 or 45. The PSA test is used to measure the amount of the prostate. A simple blood test that is done with a specific antigen (PSA) in the blood. This test is done annually and can monitor if your GP is elevated. If this is the case, this is the prostate and DRE (Finger Rectal Examination) is done to make sure that the prostate hasn’t grown or changed shape.

“The tricky aspect of prostate cancer is that the condition often does not show obvious symptoms.

“That’s why regular, candid and sincere communication between men and the medical team is so important. If there are warning signs such as difficulty or pain in passing urine, the urine may be bloody or bloody. If you feel you can’t empty If your bladder is completely clogged, call your doctor right away. “

The Marie Keating Foundation is looking for Irish comedy stars such as Gearroid Farrely and Edburn for the Standup for Your Prostate Campaign. 50 people can buy tickets for the show at the Laughter Lounge on September 24th. See mariekeating.ie/standupforyourprostate2020 for more information.

Health and life