So, i'm ready to get another man's finger up my bum

dr strangelove

I've been putting it off long enough - i'm going to go get a health checkup. I'm a few years over forty, so i guess it's time.

Can anyone recommend somewhere in south Dublin?
Also, what can i expect to happen? And how much is it likely to cost?

And..... seriously... in this day and age do they really stick a finger up yer bum?

Nervously,
Strangelove

MudSkipper

Just over forty myself and had one done few months ago, I went to the suffolk street clinic (in town near the molly malone statue). The full check up started with going over previous medical history and family, etc to check if you're at risk from anything (i.e. if several males on fathers side have had cancer it would be a red flag)

The physical itself was fairly straight forward and included an ECG to check for heart anomalies, etc. Rest was mostly blood samples and urine samples for bloodcounts, cholesterol, sugar levels and checking of liver/kidneys. As I'm not over 50 yet they just did a fingertip up the bum to get a stool sample to check for blood to check the prostate and bowel cancer. Was all clear for me, but had there been traces of blood am sure there'd have been more probing or tests.

When I booked I also asked to get an STI check done, so they took more bloodsamples and urine samples for sending off to the lab and they'll check the tip of penis at same time as when checking the nuts for lumps.

Whole process took about an hour and it was all very professional, not once did I feel uncomfortable and if you have anything you are worried about they'll look at that as well. The clinic is all female doctors tho, which didnt bother me in the slightest, but could be uneasy for others.

All in all cost 190,- including the STI which in itself would have cost 120,-

dr strangelove

Excellent, thanks for that!

Blitzkrieger

Always reminds me of this.

As a sign of my immaturity, I've always found the concept of a prostate exam hilarious. Particularly when I heard that apparently research has been done where they've used dogs to sniff out bowel and prostate cancer. It must be uncomfortable enough to be standing there with your hands on the counter waiting for the old lubricated finger, but if the doctor suddenly led a dog in? I could imagine asking if he's really a doctor....

Thankfully help is on the way. A group in CIT is researching what chemicals the dogs actually sniff for, with a view to developing a patch that will change colour when held exposed to them. Think litmus paper and alkaline/acid substances. How the patch is used, I don't know. My immature imagination thinks farts are involved...

SerialComplaint

You're probably a bit young for a prostate exam, by about ten years. As a first step, he might do a PSA blood test to check for any signs of prostate issues, but you might even be young for that.

I suggest that you find a good local GP. Check with family and friends for good references. You really don't need a fancy hospital or clinic. Any GP will check you out thoroughly.

And have a look at the vid before you visit the surgery

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fv3oY5tpSb4

Zaph

SerialComplaint wrote: »

You're probably a bit young for a prostate exam, by about ten years. As a first step, he might do a PSA blood test to check for any signs of prostate issues, but you might even be young for that.

Absolutely not, a PSA test is a minimum requirement if you're over 40, and if there's a history of prostate cancer in the family and he doesn't do one you should insist on it. I had a full check-up a couple of years ago and the doctor said he was going to do a prostate exam. I told him I was only 42 but he was of the opinion that anyone over 40 should have one. I'm not going to lie to you, it's not the most pleasant or comfortable experience you'll ever have in your life, but for the sake of 10 seconds discomfort it's good to know that it should be one thing less you need to worry about for another couple of years.

Icemancometh

Zaph wrote: »

Absolutely not, a PSA test is a minimum requirement if you're over 40, and if there's a history of prostate cancer in the family and he doesn't do one you should insist on it. I had a full check-up a couple of years ago and the doctor said he was going to do a prostate exam. I told him I was only 42 but he was of the opinion that anyone over 40 should have one. I'm not going to lie to you, it's not the most pleasant or comfortable experience you'll ever have in your life, but for the sake of 10 seconds discomfort it's good to know that it should be one thing less you need to worry about for another couple of years.

I've heard a story (probably apocryphal) about an American statiscian who said he would pay $10,000 to never have a PSA test done. It really isn't the be all and end all. A straight forward prostate exam is IMO a far superior screening test.

SerialComplaint

Zaph wrote: »

Absolutely not, a PSA test is a minimum requirement if you're over 40, and if there's a history of prostate cancer in the family and he doesn't do one you should insist on it.

That's a big if right there. From http://www.irishhealth.com/askdoc.html?q=5478&ss=psa with my bolding for emphasis;

Despite the controversy the general consensus is that PSA testing should commence at 50 years of age but in the case of those with a strong family history of prostate cancer the testing should start earlier in the forties. There is no consensus regarding the frequency of testing. Some experts advocate testing every year whereas others suggest it be done much less frequently. Until such time as clearer guidelines emerge it would appear reasonable for every man to go for testing once he has passed his fiftieth birthday and thereafter to be tested at least once every five years.

Dr Galen

PSA really isn't the be all and end all when it comes to prostate exams. The debate about routine PSA screening has been raging for years. Until we come up with a better mechanism though, it's kinda what we got.

A good DRE is always going to be a good way to see if something strange is going on, not so much in very early stages though. As with all things prostatey, its always going to be a combination of things. Blood tests, rectal exams, a really good assessment of your life, medical history and family history will give a medic a good picture of what might be going on.

bureau2009

Here's a question Dr Galen might be able to answer:

What sort of health check up should guys over 40 or 50 get?

Can you list what needs to be checked?

Can a GP do these tests or is it better to go to a health screening clinic?

I ask because I think it's great when men look after their health. My own GP always seems to be tight on time. I've often wondered is there somewhere you can go for a very thorough check up and get the very best, attentive health care.

sam34

bureau2009 wrote: »

Here's a question Dr Galen might be able to answer:

What sort of health check up should guys over 40 or 50 get?

Can you list what needs to be checked?

Can a GP do these tests or is it better to go to a health screening clinic?

I ask because I think it's great when men look after their health. My own GP always seems to be tight on time. I've often wondered is there somewhere you can go for a very thorough check up and get the very best, attentive health care.

this is a hobby horse of mine! I would advise people to avoid the private clinics that promise all over health screening for a nice few hundred quid. the reality is that they offer very little , if anything, that your GP can't do, not only that, once they have the results they don't offer you treatment, they just send them to your gp, and they charge you handsomely for it.

there's no one exhaustive list of things that everyone should have done, as it varies from individual to individual, depending on your own medical history, family history, age etc.

but a good starting point would be : full blood count, kidney, liver & thyroid, fasting sugar and cholesterol.

prostate check- depends on age, ecg, chest x ray depends on age, history, smoking status etc etc

your gp can do all the above except chest xr and they can refer you for that if needed.

Dr Galen

sam34 wrote: »

this is a hobby horse of mine! I would advise people to avoid the private clinics that promise all over health screening for a nice few hundred quid. the reality is that they offer very little , if anything, that your GP can't do, not only that, once they have the results they don't offer you treatment, they just send them to your gp, and they charge you handsomely for it.

there's no one exhaustive list of things that everyone should have done, as it varies from individual to individual, depending on your own medical history, family history, age etc.

but a good starting point would be : full blood count, kidney, liver & thyroid, fasting sugar and cholesterol.

prostate check- depends on age, ecg, chest x ray depends on age, history, smoking status etc etc

your gp can do all the above except chest xr and they can refer you for that if needed.

I'd second all of what Sam has just said. Of course there are Health Screening companies that don't charge a crap load for such a service, but I know of many that do, and its nothing but profiteering tbh.

Also check with your health insurance provider. I know that VHI provide Health screening as part of many policies, so give them a bell. They have a lovely clinic in Dublin and another in Cork that they use for this.

As for your GP maybe not having time, I'd suggest a quick call to him to explain what you want, and then make a proper appointment. Its often the case that as a drop in thing, they'll be pressed for time, but not so much as an appointment.

Condo131

Lots of good advice already from previous posters.

As stated, PSA check isn't infallible, but, for now, its The Only Show in Town. Normally the PSA is the first stage, with a DRE (Digital Rectal Exam.) following, if suspicions are raised.

Imho, It's a good idea to have your PSA checked early - I've come across several men with advanced Prostate Cancer who are in their early 40's (average age of diagnosis in Ireland is 69). In Cork, the GP will do it and there's no extra charge for the blood analysis - just the cost of the GP appointment.

On a routine visit to the GP, in 2006, aged 54, I had my first PSA check done (I was totally ignorant re PSA and Prostate Cancer going into the surgery). PSA came back as slightly elevated. Further check 6 months later, and PSA was up, so off to the consultant. Two years after the first test, I was operated on. Pathology came back with advanced PCa - surgeon said in a matter of 2 to 3 months, it would have broken out.

I had no symptoms right up to the day of surgery. Lads, given the choice of a finger up the bum and a significantly shortened life with a painful end, it's a No-Brainer. Have a PSA check, with DRE to follow, if warranted.

I've no regrets!

Logical Fallacy

Whilst I know this thread is of a serious nature and some great information has been given out....can I just point out that this is the best thread title/user name combo in the history of the internet?

Galwayguy35

There is a history of prostrate cancer in my family but I always thought it only needed to be checked once a man was well into his 50's.

Condo131

With a history in the family, men should be tested in their 40's. See National Prostate Cancer GP Referral Guidelines - second page.

For everyone else, it's recommended when you reach 50.

ALL men contemplating getting a PSA test should know what they're getting themselves into before testing. PSA test results are not an "exact science". It could save your life, allay fears, or induce a lot of, perhaps, unnecessary anxiety - either way, educate yourself first. For what it's worth, it saved my life!

Fenian Army

My father is currently getting treatment for prostate cancer, he was pretty young to get it at 55.

I'll be getting myself checked from my late thirties.

The Major

Both my father and father in law were diagnosed with prostate cancer 10 years ago as a result of regular psa tests , both are still alive today and cancer free , I get my psa levels checked regularly and I've just turned 40, have been doing so for the past 5 years

sam34

IMO, post deleted. leave the AH stuff in AH. no further warnings.

Jason Fly

come on, it's a medical procedure, not a trauma. it takes less time than you may think and it's way painless than getting a injection

1ZRed

Jason Fly wrote: »

come on, it's a medical procedure, not a trauma. it takes less time than you may think and it's way painless than getting a injection

I'd be very uncomfortable as well but it's not going to hurt at all and every guy has to do it eventually. I don't see it as much more embarrassing than the doctor checking your balls for testicular cancer so if you're cool with him in that area, how much worse can it be to check your prostate?

dr strangelove

Well, just back from the checkup and here's a few observations:

I decided to go to my GP in the end, primarily as i thought it would be cheaper. However, it was more expensive than a normal visit (due to the blood and urine analysis) but cheaper than the majority of walk-in clinics i had looked it.

I've been in Ireland 15 years now, and have only been to my doc four times (once being for holiday vaccinations) but i think i felt more comfortable seeing him than i would have going to a clinic - there isn't much of a history, but there is some, and, as he said himself, it does give him some idea of what's happening health-wise in my life.

I was in for just over an hour, we had an in-depth chat about my lifestyle, what i was doing right, and wrong, family medical history, trends in my health, any worries i had, recent illnesses, mental health, that sort of thing.
He was very thorough, referring to issues i had in the past, and exploring (sometimes in great depth) the answers to apparently random questions.

Then i had a physical exam - lungs, heart, and general poke around at my body.

He didn't do the prostate exam, and when i asked about it, he said that as there was no indication of cancer in my family he felt it would be unnecessary at my age, and anyway they were doing a PSA test on the bloods.

I'm always nervous in situations like this - doctors, dentists, axe murderers, but he went to pains to treat me like a human being and explain what was going on - in fact he had to do my blood pressure again at the end of the session as it was a bit too high at the beginning of the consultation due to my nerves.

Conclusion:
I have to contact him this time next week to get the results of the blood tests, but on the basis of the physical exam, and the weigh-in and the results form the tests he did already, i have to lose weight (which was no shock at all).
He went on to say that i have gained a little weight since my last visit (three years ago) but unless i take control of the weight now, it's only going to get worse as i get older.

tl:dr...? I would completely recommend going to your GP to get the check up, it's not as bad as you think!

bureau2009

dr strangelove wrote: »

I was in for just over an hour

Firstly, fair play to you Dr Strangelove for taking care of your health.............many men could learn from your example.

I'm intrigued that your doctor spent AN HOUR with you.............not in my wildest, wildest dreams would I get HALF an hour with my GP!

Perhaps you could PM me with the name of your GP? Thanks.

dr strangelove

bureau2009 wrote: »

I'm intrigued that your doctor spent AN HOUR with you.............not in my wildest, wildest dreams would I get HALF an hour with my GP!

Perhaps you could PM me with the name of your GP? Thanks.

I think the time was set aside specifically for this check up - i know what you mean about being in and out as fast as possible, but there was a really relaxed air about the proceedings.
When i spoke to the receptionist to book the appointment she said it would be about an hour, and i definitely got the feeling that in the Doc's opinion i'd paid for the hour, so i was getting an hour.

But we did spend a lot of time chatting - he obviously had a mental list of questions to ask, and on quite a few of them we explored the answers in detail, but it was a very relaxed, easy-going chat.

At the end of the meeting he asked me if i had any worries or questions... anything at all, so i asked a few what i thought would be silly questions and he was happy to go through them with me.

I'd be happy to PM you his details.

landpower

not trying to be funny or anthing but what would happen if a peson got had while they were checking your penis

1ZRed

landpower wrote: »

not trying to be funny or anthing but what would happen if a peson got had while they were checking your penis

What do think would happen?
He's hardly going to go down on you:rolleyes:

Frynge

I think he wants more info
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