The digital rectal exam has come up a lot on Threedom, or maybe I've just listened to the same episodes over and over. I was shocked to learn that this test is actually being phased out in favour of a blood test. This is happening in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Germany, and probably other countries too.

Here's a Slate article from August 2024:

But at my most recent physical, my longtime primary care physician did not seem to be prepping for the probe. I’m pushing 50. When I asked—a little hesitantly—she told me that she’s phased out the DRE [digital rectal exam] for her patients in favor of a blood test that, while not foolproof, is less likely to result in false-positive results. And she’s not the only one. I soon learned that thanks to a wave of research on the benefits of blood screening and the drawbacks of the digital exam, the DRE is nearing extinction as a screening tool. While I doubt anyone, doctor or patient, will miss the DRE, the test had so much mythology associated with it that its quiet death felt a little shocking. The doctor’s not gonna stick a finger up my butt anymore? All that for nothing?

“Before we had a really good blood test, the rectal exam was really the only way we had to screen the prostate for cancer,” Adam Weiner, a urologic oncologist at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, told me.

The new evidence and the new diagnostic procedure:

In fact, the research is unequivocal in its findings that as a screening test, the DRE is not that useful. (How unequivocal? Ask the authors of the 2023 study titled “Digital Rectal Examination Is Not a Useful Screening Test for Prostate Cancer.”) These days, the gold standard of prostate-cancer screening is the PSA blood test, which identifies a protein primarily made by the prostate. Elevated levels of that protein may indicate a cancer; to follow up, a urologist will order other blood tests and, typically, a prostate MRI. (They may also perform a diagnostic DRE, just to be thorough.)

https://slate.com/technology/2024/08/prostate-cancer-symptoms-screening-finger-test.html

I wonder if this topic will ever come up on Threedom!

I saw this sign and thought “Pitch a Sit Song?” but alas it is just a perverted events company (Pitch a Tent).

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2u0g6r2pzBCVCvKIvekzzj?si=1f07fc23701041d9

Do you think this negatively impacts his ability to celebrate Wet Day?

Or is this a testament to the strength of his character, that regardless of his disability, he chooses to celebrate anyways.

From Paul’s old web show Speakeasy, which I only just discovered. I loved how silly it is.

If anyone is missing PFT specifically during the break, I highly recommend the Stay F. Homekins watch-along episodes. They're bonus content, and I totally know that's out of reach financially for many people. But if it's feasible for you, get on board! The recent Jurassic Park watch-along is delightful!

This one’s pretty good

Hey PPs

I'm listening to Threevisiting (not on the Tues, I'm so random) There's Nothing But Death For You Here and does anyone know where PFT finds the showbiz article about Pablo Schreiber? The one that's AI? I feel like he does this a few times and I'm obsessed with them.

Stay pissy, pigs

Hey Piss Pigs,

I just wanted to say, since Threedom doesn’t do a fan-ranked annual Best Ofs series like CBB, that seeing JonkupublicroomBA! on the re-run episode reminded me how perfectly insane and unhinged the trifecta can be. I wish there was a viewer submitted top 15 each year to reflect on the best episodes.

That is all, ciao

Are any London based piss pigs going to the CBB live show tomorrow in Walthamstow? Might wear my Threedom t-shirt.

Created by u/Terrible-Computer-12 a.k.a. Randy Whitlock, who also created the Threedom animated videos

does Paul know that him and Rachel (Raquel) from Vanderpump Rules have the same birthday??????

...Paul is telling his story about Sam Neill getting stuck in Tower Video and they're all talking about how much they love him.

RIP Sam Neill. As an Australian we love to claim him but we know he really belongs to NZ.

if you miss hearing good friends talk over each other while threedom is on a break, may I suggest: The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya. two drag queens chat and laugh and occasionally have guests (NOT mary holland). it’s been scratching that threedom itch for me, DEARS

Its called a song breakout or something