Originally Posted by: Online Community MemberI was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2014, at the age of 48. 48 is not "young" these days.
We need to raise awareness in men including men under the age of 50 I would say currently we should be looking at men from age 30 years of age onwards, earlier if there is a history of PCa in their family, but this is the view of an old man. - this is not just "an old man's disease" - and we also need to better educate the medical profession that prostate cancer can be a risk for younger men. I have been struck by stories from other men who have been dissuaded from having a PSA test by their GP, only to be found to have prostate cancer at a later date. The earlier prostate cancer is caught the better the prognosis for the patient. (My italics), not just PCa, the earliest any cancer is caught the better the outcome for the patient, surely?
One such example is the courageous Kurt Jewson, who's Facebook post recently went viral. In his original post, Kurt tells how he went to his GP with blood in his urine and was told that it was probably just an infection and would clear up. The GP did not carry out a PSA test, most likely because Kurt was just 44 at the time, but a year later he was diagnosed. Kurt had to undergo surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy - how different might that have been if his GP had carried our a PSA test and Kurt had been diagnosed 12 months earlier?
My urologist told me that if I had not been diagnosed when I was, I would have been back within 5 years in pain and too late. I will turn 51 in a couple of weeks and thankfully, there's an excellent chance that I'm free of prostate cancer as well as my prostate.
I'm now determined to make a difference through raising awareness of the risks to younger men and supporting those diagnosed below the age of 50. I believe that the impact on these men (often with young families and in some cases still planning one) is significant. Being younger doesn't make them a different species, but it does mean that they're likely to have different priorities and heightened concerns about issues such as erectile dysfunction and incontinence - Seriously? You are implying that once you are over 50 these issues are no longer relevant or less relevant or or of a lesser importance than if a man is over 50? Is this suggestion patronising or insulting? Or borne of ignorance?
I looked for a support group and could not find one that I could relate to as most of the men were a generation older than me. What is a "generation"? Generally the "generation" above, as in "of our parents era", so, what 20 to 30 years older than you, so they are 68 + at your age of diagnosis?
Each of us has our own journey with this disease and it can be a rocky road. I'm in a good place now and I hope that my experiences can benefit someone as they progress through their own journey. That's why I think we need a group targeted at younger men.
Steve,
I read your post shorty after it appeared. Decided not to get involved in the bickering that ensued. You didn't ask any questions, you made a statement, no response was required. But, nonetheless you were welcomed. Members joined in, and others, it's a public forum, people can say what they like, as did the weekend troll, who I guess has found a new bridge? Reading your reaction to those genuine members here who have offered support and contributed you thread, how patronised you feel etc to people, how indignant you are at their response, when there was no rational reason to feel patronised amused me. You make a broad statement based on your assumption, others make theirs and you feel patronised. Go figure? And people apologised to you.
People might benefit from reading your post again, in light of your subsequent comments? My specific responses to your opening post are above in bold. One is in italics as you had already used bold script. I hope that you can make sense of it, if you need help, just ask me? (Now THAT could be patronising :-))
No one has told you how your post and your views could be, are maybe, insulting and patronising to so many others, me for one at the ripe old age of 57. You seem to think you can generalise, and insult older men and write off the over 50's at a stroke, and us old folks should all say "yeah fair enough, we/I will just sit here peeing myself and not having erections ever again or rarely but that is fine because I am over 50/55/60? What is your cut off point? You do not have a clue.
If you wish to be some sort of ambassador, and I wish you well, for the cause you would do well to take guidance on what and how you post in future?
Finally, you appear to be advocating PSa tests for men in their 40s? Why tread water? Men in their 40s are already being diagnosed with PCa, some advanced, and incurable. You may wish to keep up with the issue? Or, you could try to stay ahead of the issue? THAT is my preferred position. I would advocate testing men from age 30, that is the next PCa time bomb in my view.
And finally, lastly, youngsters get advice and learn from the experience of older folks. Don't knock it, mock it or take it for granted. One day it may save a life?
atb
dave