I have a blood test every two years and the doc sticks his finger up my ....

passed muster so far

regular checks are a must for older men

And blokes who enjoy prostate massages.

Quote from Marx

And blokes who enjoy prostate massages.

Says the guy who is a bit too young to go to these checkups.....I see....watched that "Road Trip" movie one time to often?

Ha...ha! "Road Trip!" Hey...is that really true about "milking the prostate"? That movie made me wonder.

This has actually given me an idea for a blog post....thank you, Tyrael.

Nice statistics on their side:

Overview

No one knows the exact cause of prostate cancer. Doctors can seldom explain why one man develops the disease and another does not. Research has shown that men with certain risk factors are more likely than others to develop prostate cancer. A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of developing a disease.

Age: This is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. The disease is rare in men younger than 45, but the chance of getting it goes up sharply as a man ages.

Family history: A man’s risk of prostate cancer is higher than average if his brother or father had the disease.

Race: Prostate cancer is more common in African American men. It is less common in Asian and American Indian men.

Statistics Top

• Every year over 232,090 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, and about 30,350 die. If detected early, prostate cancer is often treatable.
• 1 in 6 men is at a lifetime risk of prostate cancer
• A man with one close relative with the disease has double the risk. With two close relatives, his risk is five-fold. With three, the chance is 97%.
• Two men every five minutes are diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• African American males have a prostate cancer incidence rate up to 60% higher than while males and double the mortality (death) rate of white males. Every 100 minutes an African American male dies from prostate cancer.
• Men with a body mass index over 32.5 have about a one-third greater risk of dying from prostate cancer than men who are not obese.
• Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in American males today
• Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States
• Prostate cancer is mainly found in men age 55 or over with an average age of 70 at the time of diagnosis
• Majority of deaths from prostate cancer are related to advanced disease with metastases

Important Facts Every African American Should Know About Prostate Cancer

• Every hour in the United States, three African American men are told they have prostate cancer.
• In less than 100 minutes, another African American man will die from the disease.
• In the single decade of the 1990’s, prostate cancer killed about 350,000 men, slightly more than the entire population of Cincinnati, Ohio.
• African American men have the highest rate of prostate cancer in the world. In fact, the incidence rate for African American men is 60% higher than in white males.
• The mortality (death) rate for African Americans with prostate cancer is double that of white males.
• Prostate cancer is the fourth leading cause of death among African American men over the age of 45.

Post-Treatment Issues

Erectile Dysfunction/Impotence Top A prostate cancer diagnosis can be devastating for the patient and his spouse or companion. The often-resulting erectile dysfunction and/or incontinence due to surgery or other treatment can bring additional grief, confusion and trauma to couples during an already stressful time. After treatment, many couples feel utterly unprepared to deal with the physical and emotional impact on their intimate relationship. One spouse confessed, “I though ED was the guy down the street, not a medical condition that could devastate my marriage.”

Couples facing prostate cancer often feel the need to be more connected than ever. Instead, confusion, embarrassment and fear caused by ED can cause both parties to feel alone and disconnected.

In the midst of this difficult news, it is important to know that there is HOPE. Perhaps more importantly, there are options that make mutually satisfactory sexual relationships possible in the presence of ED and impotence. In this instance, information truly is power. Paired with open and frank discussion and a willingness to explore options, couples facing ED can find satisfying solutions.


Prostate Cancer & ED

So what exactly is ED and why is it so closely linked with prostate cancer?
Normal male sexual function is a constellation of processes, including desire, emotional and psychological considerations, and physical function. Erectile dysfunction -- commonly known as impotence -- is defined as the inability to achieve or maintain an erection that is sufficient for satisfactory sexual activity. However, almost all men who have ED/impotence can overcome it.

The link to prostate cancer: The prostate is a small gland located at the bottom of the bladder. Common treatments for prostate cancer include pelvic surgery to remove the prostate (called a radical prostatectomy) radiation and/or hormone therapy.

ED following major pelvic surgery is not uncommon. The nerves which allow for an erection lie within millimeters of the prostate. These nerves may be injured by being cut or separated from the prostate during surgery. This may cause temporary or permanent impotence, although sexual desire and the ability to achieve orgasm should remain. Radiation can also impact this group of nerves. Hormone therapy can also cause a reduction in libido and possible difficulties with erections. This is generally reversible when the therapy is discontinued.


The Journey To Solutions

Many couples who have successfully faced ED and prostate cancer stress the many facets of their journey:

• Acknowledging the grief of the loss of their intimate life as they knew it before
• Recognizing the fear that the level of intimacy they previously enjoyed would not return
• Making a choice to remain open and discuss their feelings and concerns
• Remaining willing to examine their intimate life and possibly redefine intimacy
• Staying committed to exploring options and finding solutions.

Erectile dysfunction and sexual intimacy can be challenging to discuss under the best of circumstances. Add the stress of a prostate cancer diagnosis, and the challenge to remain open can be multiplied. When sexual challenges arise, many couples suffer far too long because the lines of communication shut down and fear takes over. Those who are successful at finding solutions are those who are willing to keep the lines of communication open, even when it is uncomfortable or difficult.

Most couples do not realize is that there are many possible solutions to restoring sexual intimacy, even after prostate cancer treatment. From pills, to external devises, injections and surgical procedures, there are solutions for nearly everyone. With persistence, a little humor, open discussion, and medical support, couples can reclaim sexual intimacy once again.

Fortunately there are many medical professionals, generally urologists, who specialize in treating ED. An excellent urologist is one who is:

• Sensitive to the difficult nature of the topic
• Able to engage in open and frank discussion with the patient and his spouse or companion
• Exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled in a large variety of treatment options for restoring sexual function.

Diane, whose husband, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1999, says this about their journey, “After treatment we were just so glad that he was alive. As the months passed, we resumed our lives, except an important part was now mysteriously gone. After one failed attempt in the bedroom, we both shut down and pretended to focus on other things. I didn’t want to pressure him and he was too embarrassed to discuss it. One year later, we were both deeply sad and disconnected. On a weekend vacation, we both started crying and acknowledged our fears. After a tearful discussion, we recommitted to our intimacy and began our quest for solutions with a wonderful urologist. It was not always smooth sailing, some options didn’t work for us and others worked only for a while. Persistence won the day though. Five years later, we have a wonderful relationship again and far better communication than ever before.”

Don’t let ED become a silent, unwelcome, over-bearing house guest. If you and your spouse are facing ED, whether is it the result of prostate cancer treatment or not, do not let fear, embarrassment, or discomfort destroy your love life. Become knowledgeable about ED. Seek help from medical professionals who specialize in sexual function and keep the lines of communication open.
Read more about the following impotence solutions in Managing Impotence: A Patient Guide

• Oral Medication (Viagra, Levitra or Cialis)
• Intra-Urethral Suppository (MUSE)
• Penile Injection
• Vacuum Device
• Penile Prosthesis

Incontinence/Urine Leakage Top

Prostate cancer is now the most common internal malignancy in men. The lifetime prevalence of prostate cancer is 1 in 6 men. With the more widespread use of the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test for prostate cancer screening, 60% of all prostate cancers are discovered while still localized. Many urologists recommend radical prostatectomy (removal of the prostate gland and lymph nodes) as the treatment of choice for their patients who are younger and in good health and have localized cancer. The major side effect of this surgery is urine leakage (incontinence).
Although urine leakage is temporary for many men after removal of the prostate gland for prostate cancer, persistent leakage is not uncommon. Patient surveys have shown a 39-63% prevalence 1 year after surgery, with 24-56% of patients wearing incontinence pads. This persistent leakage can have significant medical, psychological, social, and economic consequences. Many men have said that incontinence was the most burdensome part of their experience with prostate cancer treatment.



Treatments

There are non-surgical treatments available that have proven effective for many men with leakage after prostate surgery:

• Pelvic Muscle Exercises – done properly, these strengthen the muscles that help prevent urine loss. How to perform Pelvic Muscle exercises (also known as Kegel exercises)
• Bladder Control Techniques – training to use muscles to help prevent leakage during coughing, sneezing or physical activity. Training can also be done to learn to reduce urgency, so men can make it to the bathroom in time.
• Biofeedback – training techniques in which muscle and bladder activity can be monitored and displayed on a screen so that men can learn to accurately control their pelvic muscles and reduce leakage.
• Electrical Stimulation – home or office treatments in which low electrical current is used to help strengthen the pelvic muscles and make the bladder less irritable.
• Medications – taken every day, these help reduce urgency and urge-related leakage, but are not helpful for leakage with coughing, sneezing, or physical activity.

Practical Tips

• When planning to go home after surgery, bring a pair of Jockey-type underware (not boxers) and incontinence pads. After the catheter is removed post surgery, patients will pour urine. This is normal, and may occur for up to 1 to 2 months.
• After surgery, your abdominal muscles will be weak. Until you rebuild your strength, you will experience leakage when getting out of a car, or standing up from a chair. Again, this is normal.
• Stay away from caffeine.

Talk with your doctor about your level of leakage, and to learn more about the non-surgical treatment options listed above.

Prostate Cancer and Bone Health: What’s the Connection? Top The following text is taken from Us TOO’s What You Need To Know For Better Bone Health brochure.

As prostate cancer advances, your bones can be impacted. Bone health may be affected by prostate cancer and its treatment.

Two conditions that can arise and impact bone health are:

• Treatment-induced bone loss – could be caused by the side effects of medications taken for prostate cancer
• Bone metastases – A result of advancing prostate cancer, when the disease spreads to the bones

Some treatments for prostate cancer can increase bone loss risk:

• Men with decreased testosterone levels resulting from treatment for prostate cancer are at an increased risk for developing bone loss. Examples of medications that decrease testosterone include Lupron® (leuprolide acetate) and Zoladex® (goserelin acetate implant).
• Radiation therapy to the bone and some kinds of chemotherapy also might decrease bone density and increase the risk for bone loss

Bone Metastases and Advancing Prostate Cancer

Another situation in which bone is affected by prostate cancer is when the cancer metastasizes, or breaks away and travels—usually via the bloodstream—to other parts of the body, primarily in the advanced stages of the disease. When this happens in prostate cancer, the most common place for the cancer to go is to the bone. The bones most commonly affected are the spine, hips, and ribs. Normal bone is constantly being remodeled, or broken down and rebuilt. Cancer cells that have spread to the bone disrupt the balance between the activity of osteoclasts (cells that break down bone) and osteoblasts (cells that build bone), disrupting their normal remodeling and causing excessive bone breakdown or abnormal build-up. Bone metastases cause damage that may make the bone more susceptible to complications such as pain and fractures.

Prostate cancer behaves differently in each individual. In many men, prostate cancer never spreads to any other site. In the men in whom it does spread, bone metastases occur in 65% to 75% of all patients, and the bone is often the only site of metastases.

Prostate cancer that spreads to the bones is still prostate cancer, not bone cancer. Bone metastases result in areas of weak, unstable bone that could cause debilitating pain and fractures.

Prostate Cancer and Bone Health: The Bottom Line

An independent, successful, satisfying life is possible with prostate cancer. Because prostate cancer has an affinity for your bones, knowing about your bones is important. You can make a difference in managing your bone health:

• Don’t let symptoms scare you. See them as a signal to get more information and take action.
• Not all symptoms represent recurrence of prostate cancer.
• Maintaining your bone health will help maintain your quality of life.
• If you have symptoms that concern you, quickly tell your health care provider.
• The sooner your symptoms are diagnosed, the more that can be done to help.
• You are the expert on you. Know yourself...and trust yourself.

one of my acquaintances has been having ray treatment I was reading the effect on the "nerves"

if the cancer is caught early enough the worst effects can be forestalled but the prospect of damage the treatment causes to the male plumbing must be daunting for those unfortunate enough to be diagnosed and sent for treatment

men are living longer nowdays so the disease is within the ambit of their life span