My doctor is a real comedian. The last time I had the dreaded finger as he was putting a rubber glove on he said to me ''some people do this for pleasure, I do it purely for the pain''.
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Cheers Keith & Judy
Don't take life too seriously, it never ends well.
Trip Reports posted on feathersandphotos.com.au Go to Forums then Trip Reports.
On the one occasion I had an examination the doctor asked me if I practiced anal sex ??? I said NOOOOO its a one way valve , and to that he said then this may cause you discomfort
I thought I heard the other day they have done away with the 'one finger' test and now only going by the blood test
I remember this time last year when in Townsville I had a problem and the blood test was done, along with other blood tests. They all came back OK including 'the' blood test. I actually went back for the results all siked up ready for the 'one finger' test but didn't happen. I asked the doctor why not and he explained because the blood test came back OK, legally he is not allowed to do the 'one finger' test. He called it the "Intrusive" test though.
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Live Life On Your Terms
DOUGChief One Feather (Losing feathers with age)
TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy
DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV (with some changes)
Dougwe you are right - the finger test is no longer a standard practice - just a blood test now. Reasoning is that too many men were having un-necessary surgery as a result of the digital experience. That info came from my sister-in-law who is a prostate/incontinence nurse.
-- Edited by villatranquilla on Wednesday 30th of May 2018 07:40:45 PM
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Jenny and Barry
2009 Roma Elegance / 2013 Colorado. Permanent travellers 2011-2015 now just travel for 4-6 mths
I agree with Jack, gentlemen don't wait , at 52 my husband had a routine blood test that included a PSA test , i did not told him that because i have been pushing for him to get that test but his reply was always " no one is touching me there.." , well it came back not good and I had to lie to him and say " his cholesterol" was too high and the doctor wanted to see him.
Well the blood test was only the beginning and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but 10 years later he is still with me and tell everyone that "I saved his life" , it make me feel so good even though that I had to say few "white lies" along the way. The doctor said that if he had waited just few more months the story may not have had the same ending.
Now my husband is talking to our sons to get check as soon as they reach 40 and if the subject is approached in a conversation he does not shy away to tell his story. So gentlemen do not wait, next month or next year , it is just a little prick that can save your life.
Cheers Mez
-- Edited by Mez on Thursday 31st of May 2018 11:28:47 AM
-- Edited by Mez on Thursday 31st of May 2018 11:29:18 AM
Need to respond here from personal experience since early April last.
3 - 5 years of unfavourable low but rising PSA readings and 2 digital rectal examinations (DRE) with "Hmm just keep an eye on this" by the two separate GP's in the same medical pract. / business.
Not satisfied with this I had a 3rd PSA test through a 3rd GP in the business and asked for a specialist consult.
Was referred to the best in Adelaide with the Dr / Mr asking for a better type of blood test which led to an MRI (NOT covered by Medicare by the way even though Prostate cancer is the main remover of men from Australia and the specialists have apparently been lobbying for MRI to be covered this way now for over two and a half decades as it is recognised WORLD WIDE as the single most accurate diagnosis of the matter) which showed two large cancerous nodules which would not have been found by the DRE no matter how many times it was done.
Hence since then major abdominal surgery with the glad news that all of the two nodules were removed with totally safe margins and no need for any radio / chemo therapy etc.
What am I saying?
Please make sure that you force the issue to get MORE than a GP opinion.
because of the initial cost of the MRI many blokes are not going that way and as a result are suffering unnecessarily and slow agonising ends to their lives.
Cheers and hope there was not too much detail for comfort.
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Cheers - Ian
I slowly realise as I get older that I am definitely NOT the fastest rat in the race.
Also the older I get the more I realise I do not know.
I agree with Jack, gentlemen don't wait , at 52 my husband had a routine blood test that included a PSA test , i did not told him that because i have been pushing for him to get that test but his reply was always " no one is touching me there.." , well it came back not good and I had to lie to him and say " his cholesterol" was too high and the doctor wanted to see him.
Well the blood test was only the beginning and he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but 10 years later he is still with me and tell everyone that "I saved his life" , it make me feel so good even though that I had to say few "white lies" along the way. The doctor said that if he had waited just few more months the story may not have had the same ending.
Now my husband is talking to our sons to get check as soon as they reach 40 and if the subject is approached in a conversation he does not shy away to tell his story. So gentlemen do not wait, next month or next year , it is just a little prick that can save your life.
Cheers Mez
-- Edited by Mez on Thursday 31st of May 2018 11:28:47 AM
-- Edited by Mez on Thursday 31st of May 2018 11:29:18 AM
Thanks Mez. Yes the finger is only one step in the procedure. I only used it to get the attention of people. My diognosis was positive. My specialist will see me again soon re treatment.
Cheers.
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Jack Cherie and the memory of the four legged kids.
I too can speak from personal experience from this. 3 years ago I went for my annual postrate blood test (PSA test) which came back all good. My doctor then advised me to have a digital examination as well which I reluctantly agreed too.He suspected a small lump and sent me off to a specialist who confirmed low to medium prostate cancer. I underwent a radical prostatectomy and have been cancer free for 3 years. The cancer was contained within the prostate and has not spread. According to the specialist blood tests are approximately only 80%effective. Had I not had the digital examination and relied only on the blood test the outcome may have been different. The next annual blood test may have registered a PSA reading, but it may have been too late. I did not have any symptoms of prostate cancer at all. From my experience I would recommend that all men get both the blood and digital tests.
Regards EJP
Slightly off topic, its not just prostate cancer that you need to be aware of, anything that is unusual needs to be checked out as you get older.
Over the years, I have had the usual blood tests for psa, a few non cancerous lumps cut out and I thought I was on top of it all. Persistent indigestion,especially after a few drinks, used to take antiacids, until i had a bit of pain swallowing. this pain went on for a couple of weeks before I seen the Doctor, a CT scan, a endoscopic biopsy and another CT scan confirmed cancer and a spread to the lymph nodes. Had a PET scan this week and an appointment with an oncologist due on Tuesday next to work out how far the spread and the treatment plan. This has happened so quickly and I still don't feel unwell, however time will tell. Travel plans now on hold. I am an ex smoker and was a medium drinker these apparently are two of the major causes of esophageal cancer.
The point I make, is in addition tho your regular checks, If it dont feel right, get it checked.
My PSA reads OK, but my prostate gland was enlarged, requiring me to have a TURP (Trans Urethral Resection procedure). Not very nice, but now it is done, when the Urologist asks me about controlling the stream, it is not a stream - IT IS A FLASH FLOOD. I cannot believe the difference. I inherited this condition from my father, except mine hit about 5 years later in life.
Others have mentioned the digital examination. This urologist did it differently to what I had had before. He told me to put my elbows on this low bed with my feet about 75 cm apart. I was wondering why he wanted the elbows on the bed. I soon found out! WHAM. Now it is over, I am relieved. My wife is recovering from having about 20 cm of her bowel and a quarter of her bladder removed because of Ovarian cancer. The scary thing was that she had discomfort for less than half a day. No other warnings at all. Prostate cancer has the same effect - you don't know it is there until it bites.
SO GET THE FINGER TEST DONE TODAY - it is unpleasant but important
-- Edited by erad on Friday 1st of June 2018 10:33:29 PM
-- Edited by erad on Friday 1st of June 2018 10:35:08 PM
Ditto to what Possum3 has already said above, Jack
To all the other men out there
Yes, have the dreaded finger treatment, it just may be a life saver
2015 went for annual flu shot
Doctor collard me, as I had not seen her for a few years, pit stop check she called it
PSA high
Dreaded finger, something could be there
Scan, close to $800 (not claimable) showed where the prostate cancer was hiding, which was not in an area of usual biopsy
Biopsy showed the cancer
Prostate removed, and the cancer has not spread
Downside is that I can leak a bit, when I cough/bend/twist, so wear a pad to be sociable
It appears that approximately 1% of men, end up with a small leak, after prostate removal
I was diagnosed with highly aggressive prostate cancer at the end of June. Urologist was reluctant to remove it because of the extent. So instead androgen deprivation therapy and 9 weeks of radiation of which I have had 1 week so early days.
Mine wasnt found through PSA as it was only 4.2 but through the dreaded finger. GP thought it was just enlarged but suggested specialist just in case the rest is history.
Now fingers crossed.
I had no symptoms at all, yrly PSA tests since 40 missed one after retiring at 56.
PSA skyrocketed, aggressive prostate cancer result radical prostatectomy including
removal of 2 lymph nodes even though they reckoned it was contained to the
Prostate just for safety,all test for next 9yrs were perfect.
At 66 it came back for another bite, diagnosed by Nuclear Bone Scan
Metastatic Prostate Cancer on ribcage. Started treatment with Triptorlin (hormone treatment)
wasn't working, found article PH kills cancer on internet so as I had nothing to lose thought I
might as well give it a go. Followed his Protocol but held PH level up higher for longer finished
it just before specialist sent me for another Nuclear Bone Scan, result Cancer gone PSA level
0.02. I'm still on Triptorlin to this day as Testosterone feeds PC.
Thru my episode with PC I've made my two sons get themselves put on a PC watch plan with
their Doctors as a precaution. My cousins son was diagnosed with PC at 30 so it isn't an old
man disease.
