Romany said: 'This is also the reason that preventative clinics similar to those set up for women regarding breast cancer, do not work well for men.'

No, I don't believe that was the reason or that it is an adequate reason. There was no outcry as there is for women's health initiatives. Clinics could work if there was political will and dollars to confront men's health problems. However the approach used needs to be changed as modelled by the success by some of the weight reduction workshops. I do not say any of this to be argumentative, merely to pouint out that it can be a convenient cop-out to claim that men are not interested in their health and therefore the minimum (and too late) will do. We raise boys to become men who shrug off injury and risk and it is unreasonable to shrug our shoulders and say they know no better so let them suffer (not that Romany was saying that).

To the author, many thanks for telling your story and may it help to create demand for more practical preventive health programs on the ground for men.

As a 59 year old I was recently diagnosed with an early stage non-Hodgkins lymphoma. I have no symptoms other than a small marble sized lump in my groin, since excised. Like all blood type cancers this is not one you can knock out with chemo or radiology - I'm on a 'watch and wait' regime which is okay as long as you remain asymptomatic, then you get on the treadmnill as recounted by Keith. So one needs to keep calm aand remain somewhat philosophical about the cure being all in the early disagnosis. Sure take immediate steps if you are suspicioous but it may not necessarily mean a quick cure.
If I have one criticism it is that medicos tend to raise your optimism unrealistically. I was fast tracked toward a promising trial that offered a potential cure, only to be knocked back at the final hurdle for a slightly abnormal liver function test. I can accept that but it smacks of researchers eliminating any case that might upset their hoped-for results. To be sure I will be quizzing these medicos on early positive results so that I can benefit. I implore any cancer patient to be quite demonstrative on getting the benefits of the latest test results, and not be fobbed off with any excuses. Good luck Keith.

Commiserations Keith. There are far too many stories like yours in the public domain.

Alas, mine is very similar, only I have a slightly "rarer" cancer than yours - mine is called oesophageal cancer and is slowly, but surely coming out of the woodwork as one of the most insidious cancers to be affecting males.

Not only are there few people in Australia who know WHAT to do about it but there are even fewer who know where to find those that can do something about it.

If you have problems swallowing or have been having bad reflux over a long period of time NOW would be a really good time to find out about this illness.

You may not have it and you may not welcome the suggestion to find out whether you do or not. However with something that kills close to 80% of those who do get it why not try and avoid a real death sentence?

Just a suggestion.

Garpet1,

Oesophageal cancer... cancer of the throat? Yes I have seen sufferers, mostly male, their suffering and experiences are much worse than mine. Recovery rates are substantially less than most bowel cancers. Indeed I am and feel quite lucky.

Your advice for men is proper and provides a greater awareness for us. Thanks

Hi Keith,
What an excellent blog!
It's great to read about your experiences because you are about 2 stages ahead of me with treatment for lower rectal cancer.
I can truely understand some of your fears, though being female there are some I can't relate to.
From my first diagnoses just before Easter I knew that I would have to have a permenant Stoma, but it never worried me in the least because it is such a small price to pay for your life.
I wish you good luck with your operation and hope you have a speedy recovery. But most of all I hope that you are able to keep a POSITIVE outlook during this rollercoaster ride to health.
I look forward to reading more from you.
Cheers,
Jeanette

Hey, just wanted to wish you good luck. It's always a intimate moment to read and share someone's experience. I've had a few scares myself and know how overwhelming that fear can be. I hope you go well and when it's all over, you can take care of your health the way you know how.
Shari.