Family history definition question

iluvcats

My husband just turned 40 and his younger brothers teased him that now he has to go for the dreaded test (because their grandfather -- mother's dad -- had prostate cancer. He did not die of it, died of heart attack.)

I have a book from my health insurance and it says for men to go for the prostate exam at 50, unless there is a family history, to begin at 40. Would that just mean your father? Is grandfather too far back? Would it depend on which parent's dad had it?

don't say for him to ask his doctor. it's a fight just to get him to go. he hasn't seen his doctor since he had the bulls eye lyme rash, probably 2 yrs ago.

MrBrian

Grandfather is not too far back. Infact it's right in the middle of it so to speak.

btw what age did grandfather have it? If at a younger age then the risk becomes higher for your husband. Also if your hubs father had/has it then the risk factor doubles for him.

another thing, they say diet can greatly reduces the risk of the development of prostate cancer. Also take note that something like 2 out 3 men who have prostate canecr I think are over the age of 60.

Zanne

Age 50 is the common age for a man to get PSA testing, but if there is a family history, sooner is better.. It's a blood test, nothing more than when you get your blood count checked or your liver function, etc etc... Most doctors do blood tests routinely, so this one can be added in the same stick.

Peace

jeffbr

iluvcats wrote:

I have a book from my health insurance and it says for men to go for the prostate exam at 50, unless there is a family history, to begin at 40. Would that just mean your father? Is grandfather too far back? Would it depend on which parent's dad had it?

I'm guessing it isn't the PSA (blood test) that he's dreading.

"Family history" in this case can mean father, older siblings, grandfather, etc... If he knows someone that is part of his family tree that had it, he's got a family history of it.

It is dreaded, but really shouldn't be. I'm mid-40's and dreaded the test since turning 40. The last thing I wanted was someone sticking his finger up there. But last time I was at my Urologist (I have a history of kidney stones) he asked how old I was. He told me to turn around, and that was that. Less than 5 seconds later he said everything was healthy. It was quick and much less uncomfortable than I had convinced myself it would be.

http://menshealth.about.com/od/prostatehealth/a/prostate_poll.htm

He should just get it done, for his health, and his and your peace of mind.

iluvcats

jeffbr wrote:

I'm guessing it isn't the PSA (blood test) that he's dreading.

"Family history" in this case can mean father, older siblings, grandfather, etc... If he knows someone that is part of his family tree that had it, he's got a family history of it.

It is dreaded, but really shouldn't be. I'm mid-40's and dreaded the test since turning 40. The last thing I wanted was someone sticking his finger up there. But last time I was at my Urologist (I have a history of kidney stones) he asked how old I was. He told me to turn around, and that was that. Less than 5 seconds later he said everything was healthy. It was quick and much less uncomfortable than I had convinced myself it would be.

http://menshealth.about.com/od/prostatehealth/a/prostate_poll.htm

He should just get it done, for his health, and his and your peace of mind.

I know! I told him to take one of my over the counter sleeping pills to relax him and I'll drive him. A coworker told him to get a woman doctor, her finger is smaller. I had to go to just any doctor this summer at my HMO (b/c it was urgent) for my neck spasms and the attending physician that day was a little Indian doctor, I loved her sense of humor. I want him to see her. She was so helpful to me as I was dying with stiffness. She prescribed an ENORMOUS bottle of muscle relaxors