Dr Oz with Dr Drew Pinsky: Tests Men Need
Dr Drew Pinsky is known for giving other people advice, but this time he was telling his personal story about prostate cancer. Dr Drew has hosted several TV shows, including his current HLN series, Dr Drew On Call, and given many hours of advice, but his conversation with Dr Oz was the first time he spoke about his own personal struggle with Prostate Cancer.
Dr Drew on Dr Oz: Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Prostate Cancer is very common, but it is curable. In addition to spreading awareness, he wanted to remind people to pay attention to their bodies and unusual symptoms. He started to have serious flu symptoms, and his wife urged him to make a doctor’s appointment for a physical.
Dr Drew Pinsky shared his Prostate Cancer diagnosis and active surveillance treatment on Dr Oz’s show. Men should also take a regular testicular self-exam. (Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com)
His PSA was higher than usual and there were some red blood cells in his urine. After treatment for Prostatitis, an ultrasound revealed something in his prostate. After a biopsy, he learned he had Prostate Cancer. When he heard the news, he thought of his busy and successful career and his family, with kids now in college.
Dr Oz: Prostate Cancer Active Surveillance
No one wants to think about the effects that a diagnosis such as Prostate Cancer might have on physical intimacy. One misconception is that all types of cancer have to be eradicated from the body immediately. With Prostate Cancer, one course of treatment is Active Surveillance, and Dr Drew elected to have his cancer monitored for two years before starting treatment.
Erectile failure and urinary incontinence are among the undesirable side effects that sometimes accompany treatment. Eventually, his doctor told him to start treatment, and he underwent a Robotic Prostatectomy. His prostate was successfully removed.
“Ladies, tell your husbands what to do,” Dr Drew Pinksy said. “And men, listen to your wives.”
Dr Oz: Prostate Cancer Treatment & Robotic Prostatectomy Recovery
Even though he is a doctor himself, Dr Drew told Dr Oz that he needed to rely on other medical professionals to manage his care. That’s because you can’t be objective about your own situation and you need to rely on that impartial judgment of someone who is unemotional.
Timing can be critical with Prostate Cancer, and Dr Pinsky said that it was an emotional process. Though he often gets others to open up about their emotions, this was his turn in the hot seat.
He took some of his own advice and relied on the support system in his life for help. He tried to avoid denial and focused on feeling the feelings, even when they were not fun. He felt alone when he learned that Prostatitis treatment was not working. He also had a family history of Prostate Cancer, but he was surprised that it hit in his 50s, instead of in his 70s, which is what happened with his father and uncle.
Dr Oz: Stubbornness About Healthcare
Dr Pinsky said his body is back to normal function following his procedure a few months ago. Dr Oz talked more with Dr Drew about why men can be such stubborn patients.
The men agreed that men need to stop attempting to be autonomous and listen to the input of others, especially spouses. Knowledge is power, and once you know what’s going on, you can make choices to do something about it.
Dr Oz: Prostate Gland Function + Diagnosis
Dr Oz explained that the prostate gland is inside the pelvic area, and it is part of the reproductive system. One of the early symptoms of Prostate Cancer is decreased or obstructed urine flow, which backs up into the bladder and can cause other problems.
Dr Oz: Rectal Exam for Prostate Cancer
A rectal exam would help to detect prostate cancer, which begins to push on the rectum, toward the colon. An elevated PSA reading and a “palpable node” can often provide a positive diagnosis. But neither of those were true in Dr Drew’s case, which goes to show that you never know, even if you are a physician.
The experts compared a normal prostate to a cancerous prostate, and they looked very different. A rectal exam is not always fun, but it can be important in early detection of Prostate Cancer.
Dr Oz: Testicular Self-Exam for Cancer
Another test men need to do is a testicular cancer self-exam. A brave audience volunteer worked with Dr Oz and Dr Drew for a health exam. You can do your own testicular self-exam at home, maybe in the shower. Just feel the testicles and look for any abnormal or large lumps.
Early screenings for cancer give you the best options for treatment and ongoing good health, so remind the man in your life to do these tests on occasion.
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