Get prostate checked

I READ Ken Mackenzie’s experience (The Independent on Saturday, March 10) with his discovery of the symptoms (of prostate cancer) and his response by doing the right thing.

Well done, Ken, and I’m glad you sorted it out successfully and you obviously had a very competent urologist.

Perhaps Spike Farrell (The Independent on Saturday, February 24) ignored the symptoms or perhaps, like most men, chose to ignore them. Maybe there were none.

All men should take the necessary precautions, and go for a check-up anyway.

Men who do not do so cannot say they didn’t know because the media have been full of warnings and advice.I was lucky and obedient when it came to receiving valuable guidance from my GP. He advised me to make an appointment with his practice as soon as I had my 40th birthday.

This I did and was subjected to a thorough physical examination which included the feared (by most men) finger test. This can indicate cancer through the condition of the surface and size, etc. After the test, a blood sample was sent to the path lab to check my PSA reading which was 0.4. I am one of the lucky ones because, at the age of 72, it is still 0.4.

Here is the most valuable information any man could be given: from the age of 40, every man should go for a check-up through blood tests for the PSA reading and be very careful and aware of any changes from the norm like your doctor will/should explain when he gets the results.

A sudden increase in the reading, any discomfort, etc must be openly reported to your doctor.

Another good tip received is to have a FBC (full blood count ) annually from the age of 70 which, by the way, includes the good old PSA.

Come on, guys, you owe it to your family, especially the grandchildren!