Men don't like talking about things which aren't, well, manly. We're stupid specimens. We feel embarrassed, self conscious, and unmanly mentioning certain subjects.

We prefer to cough, turn away, change the subject. Get on to firmer territory. Ignore what is important. Thankfully Paul Ferris is not one of us. He is courageous, brutally honest, capable of facing life's fears and traumas full on, talking about the unmentionable. He can spit in the eye of humiliation.

Paul, you see, has prostrate cancer which can strip you of dignity, of self respect, of everything we wish to be. It has no respect, no consideration, no sympathy. Ferris has fought it since he was 51. Since December 2016. He is still fighting it.

Life can be a bitch. He had already took on and overcome the devastating consequences of a heart attack suffered in 2013. Yet living had originally appeared to hold all the joys only experienced by the truly privileged. He was a wonderfully talented football who became the youngest ever to play for Newcastle United at 16 years and 294 days in the early eighties.

Even when injury killed that dream after 13 first-team appearances and a goal against Bradford City, Paul reinvented himself qualifying as a physiotherapist good enough to head up United's medical department, switched tack totally and became a barrister, and finally the CEO of a successful health and fitness centre with Alan Shearer. Some story and when he told it he became a multi award-winning author with his best seller The Boy On The Shed. There seemed no end to his talents.

Then came the Big C. Prostate cancer. It's a phrase that strikes fear into the heart of every man. Every one of us. Luckily Paul Ferris is blessed with courage, bloody mindedness, and defiance. Yet on the surface, he is the first to admit, none are obvious hallmarks of his. Quiet and reserved, a family man, Paul hates pushing himself into life's queue or into the limelight. That he has gone public writing with rare male honesty about the harrowing surgery, humiliating procedures, and excruciating consultations was something that required a lot of soul searching to overcome his natural reserve.

The mental challenges and psychological impact of living with one of life's curses is laced with humour as well as honesty. It is never "poor me" but "damn it." Initially from Northern Ireland, Paul stayed amongst us here on Tyneside after football fame turned its cold cheek in the opposite direction and we should be grateful. He is a greater example now than when he was a footballer.

The moment Ferris was hit by an unexpected sledgehammer is recorded thus:

"I was sure it was going to be a good day. A day to forget the struggles of the past three years and to look forward to the future. I'd had a heart attack at the age of only 48. It was an enormous shock, and not just because of my age. My life had been devoted to fitness.

"After my heart attack, I did everything to ensure my condition wouldn't kill me any time soon: exercising more, taking statins and sticking to a plant-based diet. I'd lost two stone and the smile of my cardiologist told me it had been worth it. 'Just keep doing what you are doing,' was his assessment.

"Walking happily out of the Royal Victoria Infirmary Hospital in Newcastle that day in December 2016, I was convinced I had bullet-proofed myself and my family from potential health catastrophes. But as I made my way through the throngs of sick people to the exit, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I didn’t recognise the number and ignored it.

"The voice mail came through, short and to the point. 'The results of your recent biopsy are in. Could you please report to the Freeman Hospital this afternoon to speak with your consultant?' I rang my wife Geraldine: 'They want me to go to the Freeman this afternoon to see the consultant. That means only one thing. I think they are going to tell me I have cancer. If that happens, I don’t know how I will cope. Not now. After all the efforts I’ve made with my heart.'

"Two hospitals in one day. Heart disease and cancer. Two of the biggest causes of death in the Western world and I was at that moment sure I would be a sufferer of both."

The nightmare had begun. The roller-coaster of emotions, the fight and the fury unabated.

"In the years since my diagnosis I have suffered greatly," admits Ferris. "Along with a severe case of sepsis after the operation to remove my prostate, as well as anaemia, for some time I was also incontinent and I remain impotent. My mental health suffered. I felt I lost my dignity and some of what it means to be a man."

Having taken the nuclear option of an op to remove his prostate and cut out the cancer for good Paul was floored by a vicious left hook. All the cancer had not been removed. A small amount was left on the margins of tissue where his prostate had once been. After blood tests revealed his PSA levels were, once again, rising, he was told in November 2017 he would require hormone therapy and radiotherapy to try to halt the march of this stubborn invader.

Pretty bad but it was only going to get worse. His doctor told him of the awful side effects. The hormone treatment meant he would grow some breast tissue and have no libido. The radiotherapy would severely restrict his sex life and also make his incontinence worse possibly leading to short or long-term bowel issues.

"I wanted to scream with frustration and anger," admits Ferris. "The mutilating surgery hadn't been enough."

However in his darkest hour Paul's thoughts turned to his family.

"I felt so sorry for Geraldine. I wanted better for her. We'd met when she was just 13 and I was 15. She was my soulmate. I still wanted to be the boy who'd made her heart skip a beat. I wanted to be the man she'd married, had kids with and relied on to help build a life for our family. I wanted us to grow old together, to have adventures. To see the world side-by-side after the kids had up and left.

"We have been blessed with a beautiful granddaughter Isla, now five, a beacon of light and I want to see her grow up."

There is hope: "My PSA is undetectable nearly four years after my radiotherapy. I get it tested every six months. I am in a fight. A fight for my life. But, driven on by the support and care of my loving family, I am up for that fight."

Paul's final thoughts? "What happened to me should be an enormous wake-up call for all men. Because despite its reputation, prostate cancer isn’t an 'easy' cancer to have. Men should take it seriously, watch for the symptoms - and talk about how prostate cancer has affected them."

As Alan Shearer says: "Every one of us should read this book."

The Magic in the Tin" by Paul Ferris (Bloomsbury Sport, £16.99).

SOURCE: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/paul-ferris-newcastle-united-book-23778729

Bishop Eddie Wright is a United States Navy Veteran. He's also a middle school substitute teacher, currently pursuing his degree in cyber-security.

But his most influential title is "10 year cancer survivor."

Wright's journey to that title began in 2012. That's when his PSA level jumped from 1.5 to 5.5 in about a year. Most men without prostate cancer have PSA levels under 4 ng/mL of blood. When prostate cancer develops, the PSA level often goes above 4.

"I get a call from my doctor... 'We found a small amount of prostate cancer.' They said."

Wright wasted no time getting on top of diagnosis. Now at 67, he is cancer free and on a mission to educate and spread awareness about the disease to Black men in North Texas.

"Black men are 73% more likely to develop prostate cancer and twice as likely to die from that disease," said Wright.

Jeff Fehlis,Vice President of The American Cancer Society said prostate cancer is 99% curable. It's also the second leading cause of death in Black men. That's a problem."

The biggest problem is twofold: successfully encouraging Black men to get screened by a doctor and reinforcing the importance of a rectal exam.

"From people I know, it's like…. 'man, I'm not going to take that exam. It's too intrusive. Nobody is gonna do that to me,' " said Wright. "I'm like, ok, I'd rather have that exam and know that I have prostate cancer or find out I don't have prostate cancer and live for another 20-25 years."

Fehlis said the playing field must be leveled, so that "all racial groups have the opportunity to be a survivor like Dr. Wright."

Wright now has an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. He wants everyone to know the future of their health begins with them, so they can do the same.

"I'm gonna be the first of my siblings to graduate from college. I wanna leave a legacy for my children. If I can help save one life, I've done what I'm supposed to do."

SUORCE: https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/prostate-cancer-mortality-higher-black-men-bishop-eddie-wright-wants-change-that/

Prostate cancer affects one in every eight men during their lifetime, making it the most prevalent form of cancer for males. For many, the standard of care means facing aggressive treatments that include radiation and the freezing or removal of the entire prostate, which often result in incontinence and erectile dysfunction. But at RUSH, a new treatment for some types of prostate cancer offers hope for those looking to avoid punishing side effects.

"We were about 50 years behind breast malignancy treatment," said Srinivas Vourganti, MD, a urologist at Rush University Medical Center. "In breast cancer, you often excise the cancer while leaving the healthy tissue, but we weren't able to do that."

Men with early-stage or lower-risk prostate cancer could take a "watch and wait" strategy, in which the cancer is monitored regularly but no immediate interventions are made to avoid more aggressive methods. This leaves patients with the choice between waiting and taking aggressive steps.

"A lot of guys want a middle ground between those two options," Vourganti said. "We're really excited that we potentially have another option for some cases."

New NanoKnife technique

That "middle ground" is a new treatment at RUSH using the NanoKnife, a tool for use in irreversible electroporation, or IRE. The technique uses electricity to destroy cancer cells while leaving surrounding healthy tissue and nerves unharmed, making it a good option for patients with low or intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Vourganti recently used the technique with one of his patients, John, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February 2021. John, who asked to be referred to only by his first name, said that when he was diagnosed, Vourganti explained all of his options, including using the NanoKnife. Though the method is still considered experimental, John thought this was preferable, since he wanted to prevent the side effects that often come with other types of prostate cancer treatment.

"It seemed like a good option primarily because of the collateral damage that the other things could do," John said. "He said it's a new field, it's experimental, but to prevent damage to the nerves, it was a good way to start."

How it works

The NanoKnife has four small probes that are inserted into the tumor and guided by ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The probes pass electricity in a manner that targets only the cancer cells, leaving nearby healthy tissue and cells alone. The technique also spares harm to the nerves within the prostate related to erections and bladder control, potentially preserving urinary and erectile function.

The procedure takes place under general anesthesia to ensure patients remain immobile. Patients recover at home, where they need to use a urinary catheter for three days after the procedure.

"People can go home the same day," Vourganti said. "Patients still go through a lot, but it's definitely an easier recovery period than full gland removal."

John underwent the procedure in July 2021, and it successfully destroyed the cancer in his prostate. Both the IRE and recovery, he said, were uneventful, aside from three days of discomfort with the catheter. John had an MRI and biopsy in October, which showed no evidence of any cancer recurrence. He will receive another MRI, as well as a blood test, in May to check on his recovery, and thus far he reports that he has experienced no urinary or sexual side effects from the procedure.

"Because there were no side effects, I'm already back in a normal routine," John said. "So that's the whole point. It's status quo. I asked Dr. Vourganti after the surgery, 'Are there any restrictions?' And he laughed. He said, 'There's no restrictions.'"

NanoKnife outcomes

It's important to note that 15% to 20% of prostate cancers return after initial treatment, Vourganti said. If the cancer does return after the IRE procedure, he added, patients still have more aggressive forms of treatment available to them.

"We don't know if it's going to work for everybody," Vourganti said. "But it could give many men an appropriate form of control. And if it comes back, we have more options. So, we're really excited about that."

A clinical trial to study the use of the NanoKnife procedure for prostate cancer is enrolling patients at Rush and the Mayo Clinic. Other clinical studies are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of NanoKnife in treating advanced pancreatic cancer.

John said he's happy with the choice he made after consulting with Vourganti, and he highlighted Vourganti's commitment to finding more options for people with prostate cancer.

"He's passionate about what he's trying to do here," John said. "He believes it's a good option to try before some of the more extreme measures, to help people. It doesn't mean it's not going to come back. But it's all relative, you know? I just move with the flow. We've got to get something done. Let's make the best decisions we can with the options we have."

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-04-prostrate-cancer-treatment-nanoknife-electricity.html

Prostate problem, which usually occurs after the age of 50 in men, can disrupt the comfort of life if not intervened and cause other health problems over time. Prostate enlargement, which starts with the symptom of frequent urination in many patients, can also turn into cancer when treatment is delayed.

While being conscious is of great importance to protect prostate health, modern methods in diagnosis and treatment increase patient comfort. Associate Professor from the Urology Department of Memorial Kayseri Hospital. Dr. Bülent Altunoluk gave information about prostate enlargement and its treatment.

Prostate is a gland
The prostate, which is a secretory gland, is an organ located just below the bladder, through which the urethra passes and also the tubes that bring the sperm from the testicles open. The prostate, weighing 18-20 grams, consists of secretory cells (tubuloalveolar glands). The main function of the prostate gland is to secrete part of the fluid that makes up the semen. 90% of the semen that comes out during sexual intercourse or masturbation is produced in the prostate gland. In addition, the prostate squeezing the mouth of the bladder prevents urine from escaping. The prostate, which looks like an inverted pyramid, is located just above the urinary bladder.

Growth rate can increase with age
Prostate enlargement is manifested by the enlargement of glands in the inner part of the prostate, especially narrowing and compressing the urethra. When these glands enlarge, they create a resistance to the flow of urine. Therefore, the patient has to contract his bladder more strongly in order to empty his urine. The prostate doubles during puberty. After the age of 2-25, it continues to grow. Prostate enlargement is thought to be related to testosterone (male hormone) and estrogen (female hormone). Prostate enlargement is seen in half of men after the age of 30, while the prostate continues to enlarge in 50% of men after the age of 60. In the 65's, this rate is over 80%. The prostate can reach the size of an apple during this period.

Symptoms that indicate an enlarged prostate
Symptoms usually begin after the age of 50 and continue to increase with age. However, especially if there is a family history of prostate cancer, attention should be paid to symptoms starting from the age of 40 and regular controls should not be neglected.

1. Waiting for a while when starting to urinate, i.e., late start of urination after the start of urine
2. Frequent feeling of urination
3. Getting up at night to urinate and urinating frequently throughout the day
4. delayed bladder emptying, prolonged urination
5. burning sensation while urinating
6. Feeling as if there is urine left in the bladder
7. Continuation of dripping flow after urination is over
8. Frequent urinary tract infection
9. Stone formation in the bladder

Medication reduces symptoms
Prostate enlargement can be treated with medication. The aim of drug therapy is to reduce the patient's complaints. "Alpha blocker" drugs are given to interfere with the obstruction caused by the prostate. These drugs, which have low side effects, will give the patient a feeling of relief for a certain period of time. However, due to the increase in the degree of obstruction over time, open and closed prostate surgeries will be on the agenda. In prostate surgery; closed surgeries are performed by entering the urinary canal from the tip of the penis. The inner part of the prostate is removed by cutting it piece by piece. In the laser, the inner tissue of the prostate is vaporized.

Source: https://www.raillynews.com/2022/03/9-important-signs-of-prostate-enlargement/

Nigerian men have been advised to avoid smoking, eat healthy diet, do physical activities and other body enhancement exercises as these help to lower the risk of contracting cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and other diseases common with adults.

Delivering a lecture titled ‘Prostrate Challenges: The way out’ at a breakfast Health seminar organised by the Men’s Fellowship of St James Anglican Church, Asokoro Abuja recently, a medical doctor and cancer prevent specialist Ebuta Agbor urged men to be careful of what they eat so as to live long and healthy

He identified symptoms of prostate cancer to include joint pain, chills and fever, blood in Urine, cloudy urine, urinary frequency and urgency, night urination, painful and burning urination, genital area pain, abdominal pain, pain in the lower back and muscle pain.

Others are; difficulty or pain when urinating, frequency in the need of urinating, restless sleep due to increased urination, decreased force in urine stream and feeling as if bladder is not emptied completely.

For late symptoms, he identified the symptoms to include; blood in the urine, blood in the sperm/semen, pain in the pelvis or loin, pain in the lower back, hips or thighs, general bone pain, weight loss, erectile dysfunction, decreased force in urine stream and discomfort during urination, amongst others

On the causes, he said it was not clear what causes prostate cancer, stressing that medical experts know that prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate develop changes in their DNA. He said, “A” cell’s DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do.

“The changes tell the cells to grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells do. The abnormal cells continue living, when other cells would die. The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can grow to invade nearby tissue. In time, some abnormal cells can break away and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body”.

According to Agbor, the risk factors associated with prostate cancer include, positive family history, genetic associations, serum androgen, gene polymorphism, eating of red meat, alcohol consumption

“Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

“Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and are confined to the prostate gland, where they may not cause serious harm. However, while some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

“Prostate cancer that’s detected early — when it’s still confined to the prostate gland — has the best chance for successful treatment”, Agbor said.

He advised men to always go for regular medical check-ups as well as early treatment in proven cases of the cancer.

Earlier in his welcome address, the president of the men’s fellowship, Emma Ohakim said the seminar was organised to enable male adults of the church know the symptoms, and treatment of prostate cancer which he said is one of the most prevalent diseases among men in Nigeria and globally. The event attracted men from all walks of life.

https://businessday.ng/health/article/to-avoid-prostate-cancer-quit-smoking-live-healthy-lifestyle-physician-tells-men/