Roughneck's request to all members....

[Roughneck]

so tell me. what do they actually do? dont sugar coat it. i want to know exactly what happens.

Testicular and Breast exams? Simple tests start with professionals gloving up and then physically palpating your testicles/breasts. The procedure is systematic - using a light force to feel for areas under the skin - checking for knots, lumps and normal anatomical markers (such as lymph nodes) and abnormal findings. Detection of abnormalities usually leads to diagnostic imaging for rule out testing.

It doesn't take too long. It is rarely (if ever) painful.

I scratch them every morning when I get up for the last god knows how many years. So I think we are on first name terms

Sounds good poggmeister! :thumbsup: Just learn the "method to the madness" and y'all can become friends with benefits

I do check myself out once or twice a year. Not only there but parts of my body that I can't see very well like my back and parts of my face because my father developed cancer there.

D-man,

* Sorry to hear that about your Father. How is he doing?
* Good idea to check on your other parts.

also because I have never felt or noticed anything wrong enough to have a need for them.

Sorry to hear that you find it difficult to afford professional, preventative care. Is there any possibility of attending clinics? Most family planning agencies or the local Red Cross can usually hook you up with a list of potential centers where do-it-yourself classes are taught.

I have never been or ever thought about this. I am pretty sure that I probably will not go fpr a very long time.

Every thing seems to be working in perfect order down stairs.

BBB - never under-estimate the power of the human body. My most heart breaking case was to tell an 18 year old star basketball athlete that he has testicular cancer (would require surgical removal of one of his testes) - the boy never smoked, drank or did drugs. Ate healthy and worked out a couple hours every day.... on top of his rigorous basketball training regimen.

When should one begin going for colon exams??? I hear those are a bitch though!

Legzman,

Are you speaking of Sigmoidoscopy and/or Colonoscopy?

Unless a family history is present, most healthcare folks advise getting tested at your 50th birthday. If family history is present, talk to your doc - s/he may bring up the exam by some years.

And yes, while the procedure may be a "bitch", the results are priceless.

I had a mentor (back when I was a spring chicken in healthcare) who once told me that, "A healthy lifestyle might be expensive, but it's cheaper than a funeral".


Ladies and gents,
I plead simply to raise awareness about the need for "preventative testing".

Is it a hassle to deal with all the appointments and follow up and costs and insurance? Yep.
Are the procedures un-nerving/scary/embarrassing? Possibly.

Are the results worth it? TOTALLY!


And that, ladies and gents, is the simple gist of my message - Don't let disease catch you napping. It's your life - if you don't look out for it, who else will?


cheers,

 

[Legzman]

I had a mentor (back when I was a spring chicken in healthcare) who once told me that, "A healthy lifestyle might be expensive, but it's cheaper than a funeral".

Hmmm...good point, BUT if your the one the funeral is for then your not the one paying for it!

j/k I get your point. Thanks for the advice! So I have about 23 years before I need to worry about getting a finger in the ass!:nanner:

 

[don_equis]

Man you have to ruin the fun and remind me of all that bad stuff, now I can't look at pussy the same way before. Just kidding, heck of a sale you pretty much convinced me but I do try to stay on top of things, the only proble I have is that some times my health provider doctor sometimes tells me that I don't have to check myself for certain things as a matter of fact he told me that I'll have to be fifty before I get the dreaded finger up the poopchute aka hershey highway.

 

[pathetic wanker]

I agree... it's plenty bad enough for me getting skin infections down there just from all the stress of everyday life; I'd rather not have anything worse than that down there

 

[McRocket]

A very good thread idea Roughneck - IMO.

 

[TonyBro]

Great post.

I started full medical checks quite a few years ago and have never regretted it.
For males over 40 I would strongly endorsed a prostate check and for those in high sun areas melanoma checks.

Many men shy away from prostate, fearing thye rectal examination.
Fellas, it ani't that bad. I have even heard of some men who go to another doctor for a second opinion.

Although this is predominently a fun forum. This post is extremely welcome, from my point of view.

 

[senob44]

I agree...good post. Even if just one person detects something early as a result of this post, it could wind up being the most important post on here.

Prostate cancer runs in my family (two uncles, both detected early thank God) My doctor recommended that I get my first prostate check at 40 (which will be in 12 years). Also, I make it a point that whenever I have sex, I kind of give myself a little exam afterwards to check for lumps. I also try to see the doctor for a physical once a year. Hopefully this thread will inspire my fiancee to go for more frequent checkups as she sometimes neglects to the the doctor on a regular basis.

Again bravo roughneck for this post! :thumbsup:

 

[Roughneck]

Ladies and Gentlemen - I don't deserve the accolades.

I'm just a humble health care professional offering recommendations and suggestions.

As long as y'all stick to it - I'll remain a satisfied man. THAT is where the true reward lies...


cheers,
R.

 

[Roughneck]

*bump*

Again! Ladies and Gents!

My sole purpose is to highlight the simple fact that:

1. There is a simple procedure you can perform - boy or girl - that will help you identify problems very early on.
2. That this procedure takes you about 10-15 minutes. You can spare 10-15 minutes of your life every month, can't you?
3. I wish to emphasize the importance of starting as early as you can in you life - the earlier you start and make it a habit... the easier it will be for you to detect a problem early on... LATER in life.
4. Those of you members on this board who are old foggeys like me --- no harm done. Get yourself to your doctor ASAP and have him/her do an exam. Then have him/her teach you how to do it yourself. Remember - it is never too late to start!

cheers,
R.

And I must agree with McRocket --- while I know the whole lot of you will "scoff" at the suggestion - "breast cancer" DOES happen amongst MEN as well.

NO - I'm NOT kidding. Though far less common than in women, it is possible for men to develop breast cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 2,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer are diagnosed in men each year and approximately 450 men die from breast cancer annually.


Guys and Gals - have you examined yourself today? When was your last physical exam?

Remember: Prevention is better than cure!


cheers,

 

[Roughneck]

Many men shy away from prostate, fearing thye rectal examination. Fellas, it ani't that bad. I have even heard of some men who go to another doctor for a second opinion.

I would like to second this post! Yes, it is a 'weird' procedure - but would you let "weirdness" stand in the way of your health and well being ??

Many people think the 'prostate gland' is a nuisance.

Actually it's not. If it weren't for a healthy prostate and Cowper's glands - Peter North would not be able to produce the prodigal amounts of semen he seems to produce with each pop-shot! "Semen" contains very little content from "the testicles", but a lot more from the Seminal vesicles, the Prostate and the Cowper's glands.

As such, your prostate gland is rather important to your sexual life. So, get it checked often - don't you think 30 minutes of 'discomfort' per test is reasonable for knowing you're "good to go" ?

cheers,

 

[Juiceman]

A tip-of-the-Hat to Roughneck...good thread and good idea.

I'm A-ok or I wouldn't be spending time playing on the PC. Even when I was single for the second time...I was never too embarrassed to ask if protection was needed. And ya know what, I think the laddies appreciated it too.

 

[pathfinder]

I was concerned about my balls for a while. One was bigger than the other and hung lower. Turns out that's kind of normal, so I don't make a big deal about it now.

I'm heading into my 33rd year this week. What should I go in for?

 

[Becks...poamr]

Females: Pap smear and/or breast exam?

Pap smear? It's been a few years, and I really really really should get that taken care of.

Breast exam? Not yet, unless you count the guys at work. :angels:

 

[Magnet]

DOnt forget to get your prostate's checked!

 

[titsrock]

This thread is worth a sticky, imo...

Very good post Roughneck. You are absolutely correct. Hell, hanging out on this board has "loosened" me up and made me feel freer to discuss the human body. That's actually the truth.

However, I'm presently without health insurance. Once I get health insurance again..(which should be Summer2008 at the latest) I'll take care of this. It's been 15 years since I've seen a doctor.

 

[gunslingingbird]

I've tried checking my boys before, but I'm not sure what exactly I'm looking for. I still have several years before I have to start getting my prostate checked, but, as soon as I get medical insurance, I'll be sure to consult a doctor on the matter.

Good thread, Roughneck.:thumbsup:

 

[calpoon]

I'll go when we finally get affordable health care.

my choice this month: fix my car or go to the dentist?

 

[drew84]

This is a great thread. It's a shame that there arn't that many awareness campaigns, sure the message is getting through but slowly.

 

[Roughneck]

*shameless bump*

 

[ChefChiTown]

*shameless bump*

If you have a shameless bump RN, you should probably get that looked at.

(Yup, that was supposed to be a joke.)