What Men Hate to Talk About

This is a blog I hate to write, but I’m doing it anyway.

Joe Biden has prostate cancer. It has metastasized and could end his life.

I was diagnosed with prostate cancer 16 years ago, but I have struggled with prostate miseries for over 30 years.

I’ve had several procedures to ease my woes along the way, and I almost died during one of them when my heart stopped beating while they were working on the nasty gland. I’ve had more biopsies than I choose to remember.

The sad fact is that probably at least half the men in America will get prostate cancer if they live long enough, though for many it will not end with arduous cancer therapies.

Most men hate to go to a urologist, even if they are plagued with urination issues. It’s just too scary or it can be expensive if you do not have health insurance.

When I was younger, I always had high PSA (test numbers, which may or may not indicate cancer). They go with urinary woes, yet the doctors could never validate a prostate cancer diagnosis. So I lived in dread of the next PSA test or biopsy.

Finally, at almost the same time I nearly died from massive heart blockages and a heart attack, the urologist confirmed the prostate cancer diagnosis.

I knew I had to do something or my life would get worse and I would be one of the approximately 15% of those diagnosed who could die from it before they succumbed to something else.

After recently having open heart surgery with a quadruple bypass (plus a valve repair), I chose to have radioactive seeds scattered into the diseased gland. That was 16 years ago.

I have been fortunate to have had few side effects, avoided male diapers, and live a relatively normal life as a heart surgery and cancer survivor. My PSA count has continued to be under 2 (very low). I know that the threat is always there.

It is hard to believe that President Biden did not have PSA counts and biopsies while he was Vice President and President, but men are adept at being stupid. Did he lie about prostate issues or hide them? I don’t know. This piece is not about that issue.

As I write this blog, I am nibbling blueberries, which are supposed to suppress prostate cancer. Lycopene, which I take as a pill every day, also shows up well in some tests, as does drinking pomegranate juice.

Women live in dread of breast cancer, but many take yearly mammograms and check themselves for lumps.

Guys too often ignore the symptoms that make them feel terrible and might indicate early prostate cancer. As one who is no tourist in the prostate cancer wars, I recommend surveillance. And don’t forget to eat blueberries all year round.

Question: What is the best piece of medical advice that you’ve received that you’ve taken to heart?