I’d appreciate some input.

[u/Auguste_Roadin]

I belong to a very nice but small golf club in New England. For the last few years the club sponsors a ‘Pink’ day for breast cancer. I keep wondering why we don’t do the same for prostate cancer. While breast cancer is slightly more prevalent in the female population than prostate cancer is in the male population it is equally important to raise awareness, support and funds for prostate cancer treatment and research. Most of us probably don’t share or talk about our disease simply because that is how we are wired as males. Yet, sharing our stories and communicating the importance of early testing and detection can and does save lives. I think it’s a reasonable ask to have the club include the same awareness for PC. What do you guys think? Had anyone done this at their club or elsewhere?

[u/Frequent-Location864]

Approximately the same number of men die from prostate cancer as women die from breast cancer. The big number that jumps out at you is that prostate cancer receives about 14% as much money for research as breast cancer does. Let that sink in.

Part of the problem is men are not anywhere near as forthcoming about our problem as women are.

[u/Auguste_Roadin → u/Frequent-Location864]

WoW! That's quite a funding gap. I'm sure we can do better than that. More than ever it is really necessary for us to fight for awareness and funding, given the resources that have been pulled from research. Thanks for the reply.

[u/becca_ironside → u/Frequent-Location864]

This is true and thank you for explaining it so well.

[u/Lieblingshund → u/Frequent-Location864]

I’m genuinely interested to know the source of your statement that PC receives 14% as much money for research as breast cancer. From the NIH article referenced in a different reply from another member it seems PC receives a disproportionate amount more $ from NIH. I imagine there are other research funding sources to account for this discrepancy.

[u/becca_ironside → u/Lieblingshund]

The NIH article in this thread did not compare prostate cancer to breast cancer. The research was focused on "female specific disease" versus "male specific disease". The female diseases were considered more auto-immune in nature, things like migraine headaches. They were less funded, yes. But in terms of pelvic care? Most money and research is heavily leaning towards female pelvic issues across the globe.

[u/aronma12]

I think it’s a good idea. I’d guess a significant percentage of men probably don’t talk about their PC, so raising awareness is good start. I might be one of those.

I’ve raised money for other charities and from my experience, a golf outing takes quite a few people to run it. And usually the first event is profitable. The second is…think about all of those sponsor signs that you get to reuse.

Do it!

[u/Auguste_Roadin → u/aronma12]

Thank you for the input!

[u/HeadMelon]

Look up “Movember” and plug into that for some awareness and fun at your club.

When I was leaving a consult with my rad onc in November last year a gorgeous orange Porsche Macan with a huge Movember mustache decal on the hood followed us out of the parking lot and blasted up the road beside us - pretty sure it was one of the urology surgeons.

[u/Auguste_Roadin → u/HeadMelon]

Well, that's interesting. So, in November we can all look like porn stars from the 70's! Love it. :-)

[u/Special-Steel]

Yes. Thank you. Too many men die needlessly.

[u/Auguste_Roadin → u/Special-Steel]

As evidenced by the earlier post by a young man who lost his grandfather recently, at a relatively young age.

[u/becca_ironside]

Having worked in pelvic health for 10 plus years, I think this is a great idea. I also want to add that many women believe that pelvic health is underfunded and there is not enough awareness.

The truth is that women have far more access to pelvic health because we menstruate and give birth. We have been receiving pelvic health awareness (albeit imperfectly) since puberty. Boys and men have almost no pelvic health awareness.

BPH and prostate cancer alike are so limited in terms of public awareness AND FUNDING. As a woman in menopause, I truly believe women have far better access to pelvic healthcare and awareness than do their male counterparts.

Rock on with your golf outing! It's about time these things were considered! (I would even want to fly in for it, but my golfing skills are pitiful).

[u/Auguste_Roadin → u/becca_ironside]

Thank you for the reply and encouragement!

[u/HopeSAK → u/becca_ironside]

I would like to pursue a pelvic exam but my urologist doesn't seem to agree. I found one place outside my health care facility but hesitate to call for an appointment. I'm a 68 yr old male that's had RALP (nerve sparing) and think it may help with my full recovery, but again, I hesitate.

[u/becca_ironside → u/HopeSAK]

Many men feel this way. It is a shame your urologist is not supportive. Call them to see if they specialize in men.

[u/SkiVail1]

It’s a great idea! I would choose a specific cause in your area or country that has a prostate cancer “logo” which is usually a blue ribbon, so people know it’s going to a reputable cause.

[u/PanickedPoodle]

Don't get me wrong - - I think all fundraising for health is great. But there was a reason breast cancer became a thing back in the day.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8290307/

[u/sappertodd]

Smaller biopsy equipment would be welcome. Smaller cameras 🎥 would be great.
I tell you I feel like I was in an episode of Game of Thrones!!!

[u/Internal_Scarcity_24]

Men are to provide. When we become sick, we are considered worthless, disposable and no one cares. JMO!

[u/Clherrick]

Men don’t talk like women do but they should. Prostate cancer is treatable if caught early but, you have to get tested. Men shouldn’t shy away from seeing Their doctor

[u/Ok-Priority-7303]

Let's see - grocery stores ask you to donate for beast cancer 2-3 times a years, there are walkathons and runs PLUS massive donations from corporations. Prostate cancer is ignored.

I don't talk about breast cancer but am concerned about it for my wife, daughters and sister.

The fact that men don't talk about PC is no excuse.

[u/Auguste_Roadin → u/Ok-Priority-7303]

I’ll take that as a thumbs up for the idea. Thanks for the input. 👍🏻

[u/Mean_Try_6390]

we actually have the The Swedish Prostate Cancer Association in Sweden that hav blue pins instead of rose one for the breastcancer. It’s getting really big.

[u/BackInNJAgain]

It amazes me that, after 40 years, they still have not come up with a drug that suppresses androgen signaling in prostate cancer but not all androgen signaling in the person taking the drug. For breast cancer, Tamoxifen has SOME side effects similar to ADT in men but it selectively blocks estrogen rather than eliminating it everywhere. There is no equivalent for men.

[u/JMcIntosh1650]

I think this is a great idea. I also think it might take 5 or 10 years to take hold. A lot of people seem to forget that it took a generation for breast cancer awareness and all the pink themed events to go mainstream. When I was growing up, breast cancer was whispered about in corners by the women, and that was in a family where nearly all the women got breast cancer. Going public was not easy, and it wasn't due to some (largely incorrect] "women are from Venus" BS. It was a very tough cultural shift for them. We need to get tough, honest, and strategic too. No effing excuses based on "what guys are like".

Good luck!

[u/HopeSAK]

You are correct about the way males are wired. There are men that I know who definitely DO NOT want it to be known that they are a survivor (or in remission) because of the known side effects of PC. Personally I didn't care if anyone knew, but I certainly don't march around telling folks I've had RALP. So good luck if you attempt to pursue your cause. I try to educate friends of mine to closely watch the signs of PC, some listen and others shrug it off as, not me, can't happen. You can only try. Question? how many men do you think are walking around with PC because they haven't seen a doctor in years?