On A Very Serious Note!
Guys get yourself to a doctor and get yourself checked for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the leading diseases resulting in the death of black men in this country. Get your PSA test and rectal examination. Yes, it is uncomfortable, but it is better than suffering a premature death. If that is not enough, it will also affect your sexual performance.
Three weeks ago, I went in for a routine physical and blood work. The good news was everything seemed to in order, except--my PSA test went from 0 to 5, which is an unexplained jump, that indicative that I was in the early stages of prostate cancer. After three weeks of worrying, I had a biopsy and waited for the results. This past Friday, I received the news from my doctor--NO CANCER! Of course, I was elated, but I had to think about those who are not so lucky.
Black men should start being screened for prostate cancer when they reach 40 years old. If there is a history of it in your family, you need to start as early as 35. My cousin's husband died of prostate cancer at 45! This is not a disease to fool around with. However, usually it is a slow growing cancer and with proper treatment it can be eliminated if caught early which is why we need to have those PSA tests.
By the way, I go in next week for my routine colonoscopy. It is literally a pain in the ***, but it is the only way for me to make sure that I don't have colon cancer. My mother died from it and I began taking the tests ASAP. So far, I have had no problems, but I remain vigilant. If you don't the symptoms of these diseases that are potential killers to black males, get down to your local health clinic or doctor and get some reading information. If you are embarrassed--go to the library--but go!
I am fortunate, but there are many who may not be so lucky. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor--get a check up!
Ra
Guys get yourself to a doctor and get yourself checked for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the leading diseases resulting in the death of black men in this country. Get your PSA test and rectal examination. Yes, it is uncomfortable, but it is better than suffering a premature death. If that is not enough, it will also affect your sexual performance.
Three weeks ago, I went in for a routine physical and blood work. The good news was everything seemed to in order, except--my PSA test went from 0 to 5, which is an unexplained jump, that indicative that I was in the early stages of prostate cancer. After three weeks of worrying, I had a biopsy and waited for the results. This past Friday, I received the news from my doctor--NO CANCER! Of course, I was elated, but I had to think about those who are not so lucky.
Black men should start being screened for prostate cancer when they reach 40 years old. If there is a history of it in your family, you need to start as early as 35. My cousin's husband died of prostate cancer at 45! This is not a disease to fool around with. However, usually it is a slow growing cancer and with proper treatment it can be eliminated if caught early which is why we need to have those PSA tests.
By the way, I go in next week for my routine colonoscopy. It is literally a pain in the ***, but it is the only way for me to make sure that I don't have colon cancer. My mother died from it and I began taking the tests ASAP. So far, I have had no problems, but I remain vigilant. If you don't the symptoms of these diseases that are potential killers to black males, get down to your local health clinic or doctor and get some reading information. If you are embarrassed--go to the library--but go!
I am fortunate, but there are many who may not be so lucky. Do yourself and your loved ones a favor--get a check up!
Ra