Reader comments
Advice is varied regarding prostate-cancer treatment

As a prostate cancer survivor but still a patient after 15 years and as an activist advocate to help ease the burden of concern to those following in my dubious journey, it is refreshing to be aware of those communities, media, and health professionals who come together to bring to the attention to the community the importance of prostate cancer awareness. Though my advocacy most often serves those already diagnosed, I would much prefer to have met these men before diagnosis to have encouraged early attention to annual PSA testing and DRE examination. As noted in the article, too many men put off a visit to the physician because they don't want anyone messing with their "down there." Some have heard of the definition of "DRE" and see this as invasive to their "manhood" rather than an examination that could save their lives. All men should be aware that it is in the "putting off" annual testing that their worst fears could be realized. It is early attention, early diagnosis, and early treatment that can avoid all the side effects of which men are concerned.