Prostate cancer

[porchrat]

In other news on the same website routine PSA testing is bad....
"results showing that using PSA blood testing to screen for prostate cancer can slightly reduce the risk of men dying from the disease (meaning 1 in 1000 fewer men die from the disease), but may miss aggressive cancers in some men, and over diagnose the disease in others.
The results are important. They reinforce the evidence from another large, long-term screening trial that came to the same overall conclusion. That trial was the basis for our view that PSA blood testing does reduce deaths from prostate cancer, but also has the potential to cause harm to a large number of men and misses too many significant cancers. "

PSA screening reduced deaths can miss aggressive cancer

We're striving for a world where no man dies of prostate cancer - and giving every man the power to navigate this complex disease. We're standing together to support our dads, brothers, partners and friends - by raising awareness, funding lifesaving research, campaigning for change and providing...

prostatecanceruk.org

I mean... even if the doc detects an enlarged prostate with the finger test the next step is PSA blood tests. If there's elevation it's on to a biopsy. Biopsy is an outpatient procedure and it's pretty darn quick.

Fact remains that the PSA test is more reliable than the finger test. So all that study is showing is that more men were made aware of something picked up by the PSA test. They had further investigations in the form of a biopsy and turns out it was nothing or it was benign. No massive loss unless there's some rare complication with the relatively simply biopsy procedure.

While it would be lovely to have a more effective test the reality is there is none. The PSA test is the best you can do. Get it done guys. Quick blood test once a year to potentially save your life. It's worth it.

 

[Mirai]

Following/subbing to this.

I turn a landmark age next year, my Mum died of Colon Cancer last year. It has been strongly suggested that I get my prostate checked out.

I am dreading it for many many reasons

Oh yes, **** Cancer!

Had death of colon ca in my family too a few years ago. The 'specialist' was too lazy to do a proper colonoscopy and missed the polyp a couple years prior to that. Sadly another specialist suspected that given who did the procedure but did not say it in a way to say that a repeat should have been done. A third now retired specialist did not think a repeat procedure was necessary. A fourth famous radiologist missed the diagnosis on CT done for a different reason. Another famous specialist completely disregarded the CT results. Unfortunately by the time I got hold of the results it was too late. That's South African medicine for you. We don't sue enough and sometimes our doctors don't practice enough defensive medicine.

So you can go for all the screening procedures but still end losing out when you have people who sometimes don't put in 100% effort. The devil's always in the details.

 

[FiestaST]

Check out these 2x threads from a bygone era (‘09). Compare the advice given during that time to what was mentioned now.

2009, A Simpler Time.

Prostate check up

I sent the bf for the blood test, They said he was a bit too young (35) but they will test because it’s better too be safe than sorry. So we are very relaxed about it until the doctor phoned and said he must come into the office, and she does not want to discuss it over the phone!!! I’m a...

mybroadband.co.za

Getting your prostate checked!

Contrary to popular belief you don't have to have fingers stuck up where you really don't want them.... Those days are over. Now you do a blood test and go for a sonar.... I'm getting mine done next week...I recon any man over 30 needs to get tested...especially if you struggle to pee...

mybroadband.co.za

NGL I was tempted to Le Bump however it’s not fitting so I reined it in.

 

[FiestaST]

Really good thread!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1848316282124579062

 

[neoprema]

Don't think you need the finger up the bum unless your PSA raises any flags

I think if you're elevated these days they send you straight for a scan, prob don't even probe anymore.

In other news on the same website routine PSA testing is bad....
"results showing that using PSA blood testing to screen for prostate cancer can slightly reduce the risk of men dying from the disease (meaning 1 in 1000 fewer men die from the disease), but may miss aggressive cancers in some men, and over diagnose the disease in others.
The results are important. They reinforce the evidence from another large, long-term screening trial that came to the same overall conclusion. That trial was the basis for our view that PSA blood testing does reduce deaths from prostate cancer, but also has the potential to cause harm to a large number of men and misses too many significant cancers. "

PSA screening reduced deaths can miss aggressive cancer

We're striving for a world where no man dies of prostate cancer - and giving every man the power to navigate this complex disease. We're standing together to support our dads, brothers, partners and friends - by raising awareness, funding lifesaving research, campaigning for change and providing...

prostatecanceruk.org

Are you saying this vs getting "felt" up there for cancer? Or that PSA itself misses cancers that could occur in other parts of the Body and people don't get that checked?

 

[I.am.Sam]

View attachment 1766513

@ShaunSA does this mean fiesta is good for years

 

[airborne]

I think if you're elevated these days they send you straight for a scan, prob don't even probe anymore.

Are you saying this vs getting "felt" up there for cancer? Or that PSA itself misses cancers that could occur in other parts of the Body and people don't get that checked?

Basically the PSA test can in some people prompt unwarranted surgery, aka false negative and also miss some serious forms of aggressive prostrate cancer that don't get picked up by PSA tests but will be picked up by the finger test. Unfortunately with these tests it's not a one size fits all situation.

The prostate cancer predicament | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

To screen or not to screen? For prostate cancer—the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer—that is the bedeviling question.

www.hsph.harvard.edu

 

[neoprema]

Basically the PSA test can in some people prompt unwarranted surgery, aka false negative and also miss some serious forms of aggressive prostrate cancer that don't get picked up by PSA tests but will be picked up by the finger test. Unfortunately with these tests it's not a one size fits all situation.

The prostate cancer predicament | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

To screen or not to screen? For prostate cancer—the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer—that is the bedeviling question.

www.hsph.harvard.edu

Ah ok i see. Interesting.

 

[ShaunSA]

Basically the PSA test can in some people prompt unwarranted surgery, aka false negative and also miss some serious forms of aggressive prostrate cancer that don't get picked up by PSA tests but will be picked up by the finger test. Unfortunately with these tests it's not a one size fits all situation.

The prostate cancer predicament | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

To screen or not to screen? For prostate cancer—the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, after lung cancer—that is the bedeviling question.

www.hsph.harvard.edu

I doubt anyone's going to rush off to surgery based on one PSA test

 

[SauRoNZA]

PSA is so cheap these days I do that annually without any finger up the bum action.

Had those since my twenties already because back them the blood test was like R2k a pop.

 

[Cage Rattler]

Prostate Cancer: Over-Testing and Over-Treatment ⋆ Brownstone Institute

An elevated PSA level can be caused by factors besides prostate cancer. A PSA test score can spur frightened men into getting procedures.

brownstone.org

 

[PaulGherkin]

Will go early next year when the medical aid is nice and shiny once again, and have the finger stuck up my bum and my wang felt up and balls checked for lumps.

Then it should all be good to go again (yes @epah & @The_Mowgs I will be rough and ready again)

 

[Spizz]

Will go early next year when the medical aid is nice and shiny once again, and have the finger stuck up my bum and my wang felt up and balls checked for lumps.

Then it should all be good to go again (yes @epah & @The_Mowgs I will be rough and ready again)

Sounds like you should be paying them

 

[The_MAC]

When I had my vasectomy recently, me and the Urologist chatted about the prostate (I'm not there yet, but the topic came up). He said that he had multiple cases where the bloodwork showed no signs, but upon physical examination, he discovered problems, so he said, the old-fashioned way is the most thorough, especially if you want to detect it early.

He was like, "why are men so scared, as though they are getting violated", I laughed nervously back..

 

[The_Mowgs]

When I had my vasectomy recently, me and the Urologist chatted about the prostate (I'm not there yet, but the topic came up). He said that he had multiple cases where the bloodwork showed no signs, but upon physical examination, he discovered problems, so he said, the old-fashioned way is the most thorough, especially if you want to detect it early.

He was like, "why are men so scared, as though they are getting violated", I laughed nervously back..

Time to change doctors I would say, unless...

 

[The_MAC]

Time to change doctors I would say, unless...

When the time arrives, I shall think very hard about which guy puts his fingers up my batty..

 

[Mike Hoxbig]

When the time arrives, I shall think very hard about which guy puts his fingers up my batty..

Or you could, I don't know, find a girl doctor. Seems like there's some kind of subconscious predisposition going on. But I'm not judging, if you really want a guy then go for it...

 

[The_MAC]

Or you could, I don't know, find a girl doctor. Seems like there's some kind of subconscious predisposition going on. But I'm not judging, if you really want a guy then go for it...

Female urologist, thought that was a myth..

 

[Nemesys]

When I had my vasectomy recently, me and the Urologist chatted about the prostate (I'm not there yet, but the topic came up). He said that he had multiple cases where the bloodwork showed no signs, but upon physical examination, he discovered problems, so he said, the old-fashioned way is the most thorough, especially if you want to detect it early.

He was like, "why are men so scared, as though they are getting violated", I laughed nervously back..

Very sound advice from your urologist.
My bloodwork showed nothing but the subsequent finger test did suggest that something was not right. The analysis of the tissue removed during the TURBT procedure showed malignant cells. The Gleason count was 2 which currently is not considered prostate cancer. Since then I have been going for a yearly checkup.
I really cannot see why people are reluctant to see a Urologist. Surely if my wife can go for a PAP Smear yearly why should I shy away from a simple procedure that can safe my life.

 

[rh1]

For those doing pathcare tests, my new doctor has access to all my tests ever done at Pathcare.