Get yourself or Friends/Family tested for Prostate Cancer Sat 24th March 12-2.45pm at The Valley

Tracey

On Sat 24th March (before the game against Plymouth Argyle) PSA testing will be available at The Valley (in the Fans Bar, North Stand) from 12pm-2.45pm.
The blood test measures the amount of protein specific antigen in your blood and can help diagnose prostate problems including prostate cancer. The test is aimed at men aged over 45 years old for a min £5 donation.

The Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal will fund the reminder of the tests costs and testing will be undertaken by the Graham Fulford Charitable Trust with all information re the testing/results procedure being given out on the day.

The PSA test will be available to both Charlton fans (in the fans bar) and Plymouth Argyle fans (mobile units in the car park)

Spread the word....if your too young for the test....tell your Dad/Uncle/Granddad!

My father passed away from Prostate Cancer which is why I'm so passionate about fighting this disease. I never want anyone to suffer what he/we went through seeing our funny, crazy, loved by everyone Dad become a shadow of himself so quickly and dying a cruel horrible death.

1 in 8 men will get Prostate Cancer at some point in their lives (1 in 4 black men)

This is the first time a Football Club has offered PSA tests on a match day......please help make it a success so other Clubs will follow suit....just one life saved will mean it has been worthwhile.

Further information will be posted on the Charlton Website tomorrow along with a downloadable questionnaire so you can bring on the day already completed.

AFKABartram

Hi @Tracey i was planning to do this next week.

Am I reading that right, it’s not available to U45s ?

Thanks

stevec

Great idea and please get yourself tested. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer after a PSA test and had to have it removed, but the test probably saved my life.
Don't risk it, ignore it or think it can't happen to you. I had no symptoms at all but had cancer.

Nadou

I do think that people should also know that PSA testing has its critics among the medical profession and should not be lightly undertaken. Here's some more information https://www.uptodate.com/contents/prostate-cancer-screening-beyond-the-basics There's also an interesting video with pros and cons on Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8kUX03GMJs

Tracey

AFKABartram said:

Hi @Tracey i was planning to do this next week.

Am I reading that right, it’s not available to U45s ?

Thanks

The risk is higher if you are over 50. This is why we are focusing on raising awareness to that age group. However if you would like to come for the test, then you are more than welcome.

Henry Irving

AFKABartram said:

Hi @Tracey i was planning to do this next week.

Am I reading that right, it’s not available to U45s ?

Thanks

No, any man can take the test, it's just that men over 45 are the most at risk.

Great work by @Tracey who's been working so hard to make this happen.

Like the good old days when Charlton lead the way and the fans were always involved so..

Spread this story on twitter/ Facebook/WhatsApp etc

Stig

Nadou said:

I do think that people should also know that PSA testing has its critics among the medical profession and should not be lightly undertaken. Here's some more information https://www.uptodate.com/contents/prostate-cancer-screening-beyond-the-basics There's also an interesting video with pros and cons on Youtube -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8kUX03GMJs

Read an article in the paper the other day that the success rates aren't very good and that thousands have been left incontinent and/or impotent as a result of unnecessary procedures.

Nadou

I am definitely not arguing against testing but I do think that the full facts about it should be considered.

T_C_E

Can anyone answer this for me, I was sent for blood tests a couple of weeks back. Is this something I would be tested for as I just qualify as an over 45 or should I ask specifically for that test?

Tracey

@Nadou I agree there is no definitive test for Prostate Cancer. All information will be given out on the day.
However I met 3 different men at the game yesterday (whilst telling people about the 24th) all told me they found out they had Prostate Cancer after having a MOT at the doctors which included the PSA test.

Baldybonce

Thanks @Tracy, i'll be there.

I would like to add though that when you hear the word prostate it's not always cancer.
I had an infection in mine, not pleasant but dealt with with anti biotics.

cafc999

I am going to get tested.

Admin - can we make this a sticky??

Henry Irving

T_C_E said:

Can anyone answer this for me, I was sent for blood tests a couple of weeks back. Is this something I would be tested for as I just qualify as an over 45 or should I ask specifically for that test?

Not necessarily. Some doctors will and others won't.

Worth asking the question.

Onlyme

T_C_E said:

Can anyone answer this for me, I was sent for blood tests a couple of weeks back. Is this something I would be tested for as I just qualify as an over 45 or should I ask specifically for that test?

I’m sure you have to ask for the test, unless you went to your doctor with symptoms.

Tavern

T_C_E said:

Can anyone answer this for me, I was sent for blood tests a couple of weeks back. Is this something I would be tested for as I just qualify as an over 45 or should I ask specifically for that test?

Hello T_C_E from what I have been told you need to ask for it fella.

swords_alive

T_C_E said:

Can anyone answer this for me, I was sent for blood tests a couple of weeks back. Is this something I would be tested for as I just qualify as an over 45 or should I ask specifically for that test?

Hi @T_C_E . My understanding is the GP who refers the blood test specifies what it is should be tested for. Recently I thought I was getting tested for specific viruses but because the GP didn't specify that bit I have to go back and have it re-done. (At great inconvenience and also because the blood test centre at Lewisham hospital closed 2 minutes before I arrived last time, but you didnt ask about NHS inefficiency ..)

swords_alive

Do we need a match ticket to get in the fans bar? Thanks in advance

T_C_E

Thanks everyone, I'll ask the question.

Onlyme

T_C_E said:

Thanks everyone, I'll ask the question.

I’ve just sent you a PM

soapboxsam

Nadou said:

I am definitely not arguing against testing but I do think that the full facts about it should be considered.

It's an indicator to see if the gloves need to come on if your PSA is above a certain figure.

Nadou

soapboxsam said:

Nadou said:

I am definitely not arguing against testing but I do think that the full facts about it should be considered.

It's an indicator to see if the gloves need to come on if your PSA is above a certain figure.

Actually, nowadays, it is more likely to lead to a biopsy. And the problem is that it is possible to have a very high PSA and no cancer and a low PSA and have aggressive cancer. The whole PSA test is an unreliable initial indicator. I know this from personal experience and from the experiences of friends and family. Most guys over a certain age will have elevated PSA and many of them will have cancer but reliable figures show that most of those will die WITH the mild form of cancer rather than FROM it. That is not to say that there will be SOME guys who will have a PSA test which will be elevated and they will have further tests which will show that they have an aggressive form of the cancer which needs treatment. Past results show that there are many many guys who will be diagnosed with a mild form of the cancer and they will opt for treatment with very unpleasant side effects - and that the treatment was unnecessary since they would never have died from it anyway. It's a complicated issue.

Henry Irving

Still better to get tested and have the option than unknowingly have a cancer growing within you IMHO

Story should be on the OS today so spread the word.

Nadou

To anyone who is thinking of getting tested on Saturday, you should know that it is recommended that you do not ejaculate or ride a bike for 48 hours (preferably 72 hours) beforehand as that can distort the result.

MrOneLung

Now you tell me

SomervilleAddick

Nadou said:

To anyone who is thinking of getting tested on Saturday, you should know that it is recommended that you do not ejaculate or ride a bike for 48 hours (preferably 72 hours) beforehand as that can distort the result.

Yep. If you want to avoid the chance of a false high reading, both of these and my follow up also had me reduce both alcohol and coffee in that window, as they believed all of those could contribute to an elevated PSA.

If you do get a high reading, educate yourself on the topic. As @Nadou said earlier, one major risk to quality of life is unnecessary treatments. It’s important that you understand all the options and possibilities.

Hastingsaddick

T_C_E said:

Can anyone answer this for me, I was sent for blood tests a couple of weeks back. Is this something I would be tested for as I just qualify as an over 45 or should I ask specifically for that test?

I'm 52 and recently had a blood test and wasn't tested for PSA....at our doc's you need to ask for that specifically apparently.

Hastingsaddick

SomervilleAddick said:

Nadou said:

To anyone who is thinking of getting tested on Saturday, you should know that it is recommended that you do not ejaculate or ride a bike for 48 hours (preferably 72 hours) beforehand as that can distort the result.

Yep. If you want to avoid the chance of a false high reading, both of these and my follow up also had me reduce both alcohol and coffee in that window, as they believed all of those could contribute to an elevated PSA.

If you do get a high reading, educate yourself on the topic. As @Nadou said earlier, one major risk to quality of life is unnecessary treatments. It’s important that you understand all the options and possibilities.

Coffee definitely makes me piss more often, always avoid it if I'm going on a long journey.

T_C_E

Thanks folks, my test is arranged Monday of next week.

EastStand

@Eaststandultra @jamiebcool you two are dads now - sound like a good idea? If you do it I'll treat you both to a pint.

JamesSeed

I had a misdiagnosis after a manual examination. Your prostate is supposed to be the size of a walnut, and my GP told me mine was the size of a grapefruit. Wasn't a happy time.
Fortunately a specialist told me all was well a week or two later.
Its one of the reasons I'm doing the Amsterdam ride in June. That and the fact that two camera colleagues were diagnosed (and successfully treated) last year.

jamiebcool

@EastStand if u go first I'll buy you 5