I challenge ALL 705,704,703 & 604 companies....

[...]

...to buy a tie. A BLUE tie for ALL their front line employee's in support of Prostate Cancer.

http://www.prostatecancer.ca/In-The-New ... aning.aspx

This illness has recently crept into my life on a personal level. We've see the strength of the Pink campaign in support of a worthy well organized cause by the womens movement in support of breast cancer research. However here is something that is not well known regarding prostate cancer;

Breast cancer and prostate cancer are the two most frequently diagnosed cancers in the United States and Canada. How do they fare in government supported cancer research funding? After doing some research while sitting in the hospital I found that in 1998 there were 184,500 new cases of breast cancer and 178,700 new cases of prostate cancer - almost identical.

Deaths in 1998 were 43,500 for breast cancer and 39,200 for prostate cancer - within 10% of each other. However, funding for the National Cancer Institute was vastly different - $433 million for breast cancer compared to $114 million for prostate cancer. I don't get it???

If my math is correct...and I think it is, this works out to about $10,000 per breast cancer death but only $2,900 for each prostate cancer death - a difference of 71%. On a per patient basis, the disparity is even greater; breast cancer received $2,400 per newly diagnosed patient while prostate cancer received only $600. That's 75% less.

Why the huge difference? Women involved in the breast cancer movement deserve much of the credit. For years they have worked tirelessly to increase awareness, not only on the part of the general public, but also on the part of our elected officials. Newly-diagnosed patients and survivors, along with their family and friends, are actively recruited not only to participate in awareness and fund raising activities, but also to telephone, fax, e-mail, and write their Federal MP's representatives.Their success is proof that political activism works.

To that end, the National Prostate Cancer Coalition (NPCC) was formed in 1996. Its goal was to start a grassroots movement that would get men as involved in the fight for increased funding for prostate cancer research as women are for breast cancer. How successful has this been?

In 1996 federal funding for prostate cancer research was $85 million. In 1998 it was $114 million. For fiscal year 1999, US Congress authorized $170 million. These are great strides, but still a far cry from the $433 million for breast cancer research. And unfortunately, the $170 million is part of an Omnibus Budget Bill and not specifically earmarked.

This maybe a part for 748 Ho...."Men, you have not raised your voices loudly enough!!!!! "

You, your families, and your friends need to write to your elected officials to DEMAND that the $170 million authorized be specifically allocated to prostate cancer research funding. You need to convince Ottawa to make prostate cancer research as high a priority as breast cancer research. You need create more awareness about prostate cancer. In order to be as successful as the women, you need to get out and work as hard as they have.

Given the $100 billion in economic loss each year due to cancer, research funding should be viewed not as a COST, but rather as an INVESTMENT in the future, which in the long run is bound to save not only lives, but also money.

In conclusion, I call upon ALL company leaders to support this cause by contributing by buying the Blue Tie from http://www.prostatecancer.ca AND/OR allowing your front line staff to use this Blue Tie as part of the unifom in some capacity. It's a blue tie AND it should match ALL aviation uniforms

http://www.prostatecancer.ca/In-The-New ... aning.aspx

http://www.prostatecancer.ca/Get-Involv ... ndise.aspx

Thanks for reading.

IABD

[xsbank]

I hope that if its has attacked you, Birdie, I wish you all the best with your struggle. My cousin has had large pieces of himself removed due to bowel cancer and I understand your feelings.

Not to highjack your thread but this is the principle reason I am against the gun registry because it siphoned off 2 billion dollars that could have gone to cancer research or spent in a much more deserving fashion. Or let Afghanistan find its own destiny so we can take care of people at home first.

My thoughts are with you.....

[Conquest Driver]

Here's hoping this was caught early. Best wishes.

Compared with Women, we Men have kept this thing in the closet for far too long. And it's been killing us. Maybe it's time for that to stop?

This is aimed at the Guys who haven't been checked yet. Prostate cancer is hugely treatable/curable if it's caught early. There are two basic ways to catch it. One is a simple 3 minute procedure with your Physician. The other is a 30 dollar test which you will most likely have to pay for yourself (gotta finance the Firearms Registry somehow). Get em both and you're as safe as you can be, other then lifestyle issues.

As an FYI the free proceedure is called a Digital Rectal Exam. The pay test is a Prostate Specific Antigen, PSA for short. That one's a blood test.

[...]

Hey thanks guys but I was refering to my father. Although every man is susceptible to getting this disease. Thanks for your thoughts though.

@ the tender age of almost forty two, I'm getting into the best shape physically, I'm in the best shape emotionally and socially in years. Everyday is better than the last when you have a balanced life. I take that back, the only bad day I have is one day out of the year where another man probes my prostate gland. I feel violated

HOWEVER it is very nessarry for all men not to shy away from it.

Check yourselves.

IABD

[Cat Driver]

I take that back, the only bad day I have is one day out of the year where another man probes my prostate gland. I feel violated

Does he have a hand on each of your shoulders?

[Conquest Driver]

Does he have a hand on each of your shoulders?

You know Cat, that kind of attitude is getting us killed every year.

[Bushav8er]

Good stuff (the promotion). I've always felt that the Breast cancer crowd had better PR that isn't in keeping with the stats and 'political correctness' has seen that it stays that way. You always hear about BC and 'pink', only occasionally do you hear about Prostate cancer, and usually its only a 2 minute blurb on the local news. Heart attacks and stroke kill more women that BC and promoting BC as they are they are doing women a dis-service. I've always felt that there shouldn't be one 'group' against another for cancer but rather one well organized promotion for ALL cancers - one pot for all.

Blue it is.

Thanks for the post.

[Rowdy]

I've got a blue tie, I'll wear it!! May look a little silly with a black flight suit... but whatevs..

[the goal is soul]

I take that back, the only bad day I have is one day out of the year where another man probes my prostate gland. I feel violated

Perhaps not the same concern specifically, but here is an educational video clip on not being afraid to visit the doctor.

[...]

I take that back, the only bad day I have is one day out of the year where another man probes my prostate gland. I feel violated

Perhaps not the same concern specifically, but here is an educational video clip on not being afraid to visit the doctor.

Usually, I'm making other people laugh. It's only through very good comedy that I truly laugh out loud. THAT was awsome. Jon Dore is a fav of mine...I had not seen that clip yet.

[North Shore]

Man, do I dislike 'that' appointment...but I'd rather have a few minutes of discomfort than suffer a bout of metastized cancer because I was too ashamed to have someone conduct a DRE.

we Men have kept this thing in the closet for far too long. And it's been killing us. Maybe it's time for that to stop?

One can only hope. The other disease that's kinda in the same category is Testicular Cancer. It's sad that they don't teach you about this stuff in high school.

[Spokes]

iabd,

This may be helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Orp8l7wh-lA

It is a youtube presentation, the first of three parts. Links to the others are on this page. Worth a look.

[Tim]

saw this on sportscentre yesterday as well, great cause! i just got mine

my father is actually still in recovery from having his prostate out. caught very early luckily and there should be no issues.

it is a rough exam, but it can save your life. prostante cancer is the most treatible form of cancer IF caught early. there is no reason for people to die from it.

[Buzz Lightyear]

In the last 5 years I renewed my medical, only once was I "rectally tested". Should it be part of the class 1 medical, at least once a year above 40?

B.

[Pro]

You all have it right about women being better at raising a fuss about things and that's why they have won in the race for breast cancer funding, divorce courts, etc..

There is a way to reduce the likelihood of P. cancer that people are not aware of but needs to be known. It may seem so simple that it is silly but all I can say is try it. A buddy of mine was involved in cancer research as part of his becoming a doctor (specialist). He said to me something which has stuck. There is knowledge about how to prevent cancer, but it is such a big business that nobody wants to say and even when they say, nobody listens.
You have to take care of yourself. Your body is a machine just like an airplane. When something as mundane as "nature calls" don't just sit on it, go to the can! When you wait till the pain is excruciating, what happens is your bladder stretches and the walls after awhile (of doing this regularly) (waiting till the pain is unbearable) start to sustain damage which after awhile just turns into cancer. Who gives a hoot as to the reason it turns cancerous?

Pay attention to the call of nature and go to the can. For most people just adding a bit of water to the diet to increase the flushing of materials in the bladder is also a good idea. I don't mean that you have to drink 8 cups of water like some emails suggest. Back off the soft drinks and have water instead. Starting the day off with a glass of water will flush and energize the system.

By the way I had a test at a medical years ago (I didn't know what the doc was up to and I just about had a heart attack) and was told I should get checked. I am the stubborn type and read everything I could in regular and alternative medical literature on the subject. I tried a dozen or more things and now it has become benign. At some point I relented and had a PSA test done and they said it was a benign enlarged prostate (BEP). Consuming a lot of dairy may cause issues with some people.

Basically if you go to the can and have to stand there for an eternity before anything happens, you are at risk because the prostate is like a little doughnut wrapped around urethra. It's purpose is to secrete an alkaline fluid that helps the sperm move down the spout .... oh you know what I mean.. : ) When it enlarges it squeezes the urethra and urine won't pass through. Sitting down to urinate is also a good idea as when you sit and bend forward you put pressure on your bladder which helps it push out the urine.

[Longtimer]

Been there, survived it and still around 8 years later to enjoy life.

Get that test, pony up the money for the PSA test.

Had an acquaintance who contracted prostate cancer at 35. ........

[Lost Lake]

At 58, I go for the double wammy. Last done, 8 yr ago. Get a colonoscopy for colon cancer. They knock you out before they violate you. While their in there, ask them to check out the old prostrate. Then get a PSA test to check your count versus the condition of your prostrate. It's a "shitty thing" but well worth it (and it's free too)

[Pro]

One doctor told me that the PSA test was controversial. It isn't necessarily accurate and may trigger unnecessary and potentially dangerous surgery. ( http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/fact ... ection/PSA )

Here is a section from a website on the topic

" 7 What are some of the limitations of the PSA test?

* Detecting tumors does not always mean saving lives: When used in screening, the PSA test can detect small tumors. However, finding a small tumor does not necessarily reduce a man's chances of dying from prostate cancer. PSA testing may identify very slow-growing tumors that are unlikely to threaten a man's life. Also, PSA testing may not help a man with a fast-growing or aggressive cancer that has already spread to other parts of his body before being detected.

* False-positive tests: False-positive test results (also called false positives) occur when the PSA level is elevated but no cancer is actually present. False positives may lead to additional medical procedures that have potential risks and significant financial costs and can create anxiety for the patient and his family. Most men with an elevated PSA test result turn out not to have cancer; only 25 to 35 percent of men who have a biopsy due to an elevated PSA level actually have prostate cancer (3).

* False-negative tests: False-negative test results (also called false negatives) occur when the PSA level is in the normal range even though prostate cancer is actually present. Most prostate cancers are slow-growing and may exist for decades before they are large enough to cause symptoms. Subsequent PSA tests may indicate a problem before the disease progresses significantly.


8 Why is the PSA test controversial in screening?

Using the PSA test to screen men for prostate cancer is controversial because it is not yet known for certain whether this test actually saves lives. Moreover, it is not clear that the benefits of PSA screening outweigh the risks of follow-up diagnostic tests and cancer treatments. For example, the PSA test may detect small cancers that would never become life threatening. This situation, called overdiagnosis, puts men at risk of complications from unnecessary treatment.

The procedure used to diagnose prostate cancer (prostate biopsy) may cause harmful side effects, including bleeding and infection. Prostate cancer treatments, such as surgery and radiation therapy, may cause incontinence (inability to control urine flow), erectile dysfunction (erections inadequate for intercourse), and other complications. For these reasons, it is important that the benefits and risks of diagnostic procedures and treatment be taken into account when considering whether to undertake prostate cancer screening. "

[...]

I'd like to start a awareness campaign with the co-operaton of high profile companies.

The Blue Tie is a tremendous tool to raise awareness AND funds for the research. By allowing front line employee's to wear the TIE one month out of the year as part of the company uniform would benefit the cause that affects many men, it may one day affect you, hopefully not.

Such an awareness campaign would include an announcement to passengers that the male crew members are wearing the Blue Tie in support of the cause. Perhaps even to arrange with the Prostate Cancer society to purchase the Tie's in mass quantities in order to sell them onboard on the Duty Free carts for international flights.

The possibilities are many.

I urge those in the "know" within your respective companies direct me with whom I can speak to. I'd like contact information, email OR direct phone number that can make the executive decision to hop onboard this campaign for a VERY worthy cause. A large unified group from the aviation community to approach the Prostate Cancer Society would better the efforts to awareness to thousands of travelling passengers everyday.

Kindly PM me with contact information

Thanks for reading...