A wise man says - “Don’t be afraid, it's nothing, it’s probably worse to get your finger chopped off”.
The next wise man says - “men should think about the fact that they're not the only ones concerned by their prostate cancer”.
Those wise men are Craig Gass, 78, and Serge Crottaz, 70, from Richmond and Nelson respectively who attend Prost-FIT, a free weekly exercise session for local men living with prostate cancer, funded by Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ at Richmond Aquatic Centre.
Both have undergone prostate cancer treatment and the camaraderie among blokes who know the challenges of the journey no one wants to be on, keeps blues at bay.
They’ve mastered the chest press, and press men to reverse their “macho” attitude around the most commonly diagnosed male cancer in Aotearoa, being assertive with their doctor when they reach 50, and demystify resistance to a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test which could save their life.
According to Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ, the PSA is a simple blood test, usually ordered by a GP, that looks for raised levels of a protein in the blood which is made by prostate cells.
A PSA level that is above the limits for your age indicates there could be a prostate problem and further tests might be necessary.
The PSA test is only an indicator of the possibility of prostate cancer, and a higher level doesn’t necessarily mean there is prostate cancer.
Serge, who was diagnosed in May 2021, has had a prostatectomy and says the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes.
While a common early-stage prostate cancer symptom is more loo visits, Serge says in his case there was nothing to suggest anything was wrong pre-diagnoses.
“I think what's important is for men to be aware that it's a silent sickness,” he says.
“It's okay to say to the doctor, ‘I would like a PSA test’. It's okay to advocate for yourself and to direct the health professionals.”
Craig, who was diagnosed at 74, 24 years after his first PSA test, says men shouldn’t be “macho” around their prostate health.
“There are men out there that won't [go for a PSA test]. I've got a good friend down in Christchurch, and he's been having this problem, he’s up to [go to the toilet] 10 times a night, and I can’t convince him to go and a PSA,” he says.
“[A PSA test], it’s nothing, it’s your health.”
Craig says having the right GP, who understands the details of prostate cancer, was also essential.
"Three years ago, they said there's a slight possibility you've got something. They tested it, found I had it... and I decided on radiation, and my PSA has not been detectable since,” he reflects.
"I put it down to my GP who wanted to help men with prostate cancer."
Bill Fergie, Nelson’s support coordinator for the Prostate Cancer Foundation NZ, has managed complex prostate cancer since he was diagnosed in 2009.
This Blue September, he is reinforcing important messages for the region.
“I've learnt a huge amount of prostate cancer, so I might as well share it to try and prepare men and their families who aren't exposed to prostate cancer,” he says.
“It's probably close to 5000 men who get it every year, more than 800 [in New Zealand] are dying, and it's just too many.”
