Pink, Pink everywhere! October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and we see pink ribbons everywhere. Literally, everywhere. From pink hair extensions to NFL football players shoes.
I am so grateful that everyone is so willing to discuss breast cancer out in the open. It is no longer taboo to talk about mammograms, self breast exams and mastectomies. As a woman with breast cancer in my family, I am grateful for this. Believe me, I am happy to see anything supporting women and the need to save the ta-ta's and wipe out breast cancer.
But let's not forget the guys. Prostate cancer is more common in men than breast cancer is in women. One out of 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Yet, we don't talk about prostate cancer nearly as much. It's OK to talk boobies, then it should be OK to talk wieners and butts, right?
I think sometimes prostate cancer is overlooked or just taken for granted. Oh, you have your prostate taken out and everything is fine. It is not that simple. One out of 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. And the diagnosis can be devastating. Just as devastating a breast cancer diagnosis, if not more.
A man diagnosed first has to understand that he has cancer. Cancer which can kill you if it has spread. Cancer. Then he learns his treatment options. Many times, the best most effective way to treat it is to try and get rid of the cancer surgically by removing the prostate and often times the nerves that provide the ability to achieve an erection. If a man chooses surgery, he then learns the possible side effects from surgery.
Imagine it.
You are an active man. You have hobbies, such has golf, running, playing with your children or grandchildren. And, as a man, you enjoy intimacy with your wife. Let's face it, we all enjoy sex, even our parents (as horrible as the mental images may be). You just learned you have cancer. Once you wrap your mind around that in itself, you think...OK, get the F***ker out. But then after your chat with your doctor you learn getting the F***er out means this:
We may get rid of all the cancer! (YEAH. This is the great part!!!)
But....
You may never have sex again. OK, that really sucks. But, I may not have cancer. So, OK, I can deal with that.
Oh yeah, did you know the prostate is wrapped around your urethra? So, you may lose control of both your bladder and your bowels. Most men experience bladder incontinence for at least some time, often times it is at least several months before bladder control returns. A small percentage of men never regain bladder control. Some men have fecal incontinence as well.
Wow. So I have cancer AND I may not be able to have sex AND I may have to wear diapers. That, really, really sucks.
But, I may not have cancer. So, OK, get the F***er out.
But, we don't talk about this one like we talk about boobies. We don't talk about how devastating this would be for a man, for any person really. I think about my husband. How humiliating it would be for him to want to play golf but worried his diaper would leak. Or not be able to go swimming with the kids because he might pee in the pool. (Mom, you may not want to read this next part). And, frankly, how I would miss being intimate with him. Intimacy is a big part of our marriage. And, we would both miss it if it were not possible.
But we don't talk about this one like we talk about boobies.
We talk openly about breast self-exams, but we don't talk openly about how important it is for a man over the age of 50 to have an exam every year. Not the simple "turn your head an cough" exam. Not just a blood test. But the yucky digital prostate exam. Y'all know what this means, I don't need to elaborate. But we should be able to say it just as much as we say mammogram or self-breast exam.
It can save your life. It can save the life of a man you know, a man you love. How many men in your life are over the age of 50? I know it's uncomfortable and embarrassing.
But, let's get real. Us girls have been having embarrassing, invasive vaginal exams for years. Many of us, since our teens. Especially for those of us that have had fertility, menstrual or child-bearing issues. I have lost count of how many medical personnel have seen between my legs for various reasons. You boys can handle an exam once a year.
But we don't talk about it like we talk about boobies.
The fact is, cancer sucks. Cancer sucks. No matter what kind, it just sucks. But, we have to get rid of the embarrassing stigmas that go with and just do whatever is necessary to kick cancer's ass.
We have to talk about boobies and wieners and butts. We have to talk about them to everyone we know. To save ourselves, our parents, our friends and our children.
So go on and "think pink" this month and every month...but also think about the other ones we don't talk about or wear blazened across a t-shirt. We need to save the wieners and the butts just as much as we need to save the ta-ta's.
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