Gay doctor prostate exam
What Happened to Getting a Doctor’s Finger in Your Butt?
It’s a rite of passage for men. You’re in your 40s, you’re at your annual checkup, and suddenly you hear the snap of a rubber glove. The doctor slathers on some lube and tells you to lean over. Boom—a finger right up your butthole.
The digital rectal exam, or DRE, has long been used to screen for signs of prostate cancer—the most common non-skin cancer in men, killer of over 30, a year. Most men understand that’s important. We may even know fathers or uncles or friends who’ve suffered from prostate cancer. But it’s still a brief bit of a shock to be probed so intimately by a person you only notice once a year, at most. The DRE is so infamous a procedure that it’s turned into a kind of folk knowledge, a proto-meme every guy hears about long before it happens to him. It’s the subject of uncomfortable jokes in the locker room, in the examination room, and in Hollywood. Who can forget M. Emmet Walsh lubing up before enthusiastically plugging Chevy Chase in Fletch?
But at my most recent physical, my longtime primary care physi
Consider joining a back group specifically for gay and bi+ men. It could help to discover a sense of community with people who had similar experiences navigating a diagnosis. Thorne Harbour helps run a group for exactly this, called the Prostate Pride Peer Support Group. To find out more, contact prostatepride@
A cancer diagnosis can also take a toll on mental health, affecting body image, sexual identity, and relationships. Engaging with mental health professionals who understand the specific experiences of gay and bi+ men can be beneficial. Don’t hesitate to seek counselling or peer support.
Looking Forward
Prostate Cancer Insight Month serves as a vital reminder for everyone with a prostate to stay informed and proactive about their prostate health. By promoting awareness about the specific challenges queer men meet, encouraging open conversations, and seeking tailored care, we can help ensure that every person has the knowledge and support needed to navigate prostate cancer with confidence and dignity.
If someone you know needs assist or more communication about prostate
Let’s be honest: it’s adorable difficult to get well men to go for a routine checkup. But it becomes even harder if that checkup requires anything … down there.
Yet, when it comes to prostate cancer, it’s the best way to diagnose the problem early and treat it successfully.
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and a perfect day to revisit fears and myths around the prostate, with the help of John Warren and Sylvain Côté.
John was a welder for most of his life. Sylvain began his career as a mining exploration geologist, then continued as an airplane mechanic for 24 years.
Both are now retired and help on the steering committee of the Prostate Cancer Support Group–Montreal and West Island.
John’s journey with prostate cancer
When he was 35, John heard a surgeon on CBC Radio illustrate that men should own their prostate checked regularly after turning John did this faithfully. When he was 69, his PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen blood test) score was OK, but a digital rectal exam (DRE) found a node on his prostate, which could be a approve of cancer.
A biopsy showed a
Navigating prostate cancer as a gay man: A journey of resilience, support, and empowerment
In December , I sat hand-in-hand with my husband, waiting to overhear if I had prostate cancer. In the exam room together, we joked about how it had all been a large mistake. After all, I was a very sound , fit year-old.
I don’t recall much after the healer came in and spoke the words out noisy for the first second. I was overcome with fear, anger, and confusion. As I sat there, trying to process the bombshell of my prostate cancer diagnosis, a rollercoaster of emotions hit me. I had never imagined that at this stage of my life I would be confronted with such a daunting challenge.
Leaving the doctor’s office, my husband and I weighed the recommendations and made a clear decision to have my prostate removed. After preparing for the surgery, spending time with my family, and giving up control, I underwent a radical prostatectomy. The days following the procedure were physically and mentally challenging, struggling to step and battling with side effects. The lack of intimacy with my husband