By: Anthony Reeves
Let me tell you about an experience that MOST men DO not appreciate! The ALMIGHTY PROSTATE EXAM!!
When I was 35, I just KNEW I had plenty of time to keep on living the 20 year old lifestyle in terms of food, health and fitness. Fortunately (for my wife) and Unfortunately (for me), my wife wasn’t hearing that noise from me! So after much prodding and encouraging, I started going to the doctor. Of course, I am thinking “no problem, I’m young. Get the body checked out and BOOM, I’m out the door.” After 30 minutes of breathing and coughing and getting weighed in, my doctor, Dr. Jose Berrios, tells me, “Ok, are you ready for your prostate exam?”. Of course, I had the DEER in the HEADLIGHTS look and I promptly gave a SCOOBY DOO reply of “ORRRGG???”. I said “I’m 35 years old. I thought I don’t have to do that until I’m 40.”. His response was “That’s true but you’re African American and African American and Latino American Men are recommended to start having prostate exams at 35.” So you can imagine what happened next!!! I’m still traumatized from the experience.
About 3 months ago, I turned the magical age of 40. Like any man, going to the doctor takes on a whole different meaning when you turn 40. Or so I thought! After going to doctor for the last 5 years for twice a year, I understand how important it is to be aggressive about my treatment. I totally understand that everyone should be aggressive about going to the doctor. However, for me, it has taken on a special meaning. I’m in high stress job as an attorney. I have my own practice so I am constantly working on bringing money into my home. Those two things should be enough to keep me going into the doctor. However, as an African American, I have a few added things to the mix as well.
As you may know, African Americans have a high propensity for Hypertension (interestingly enough, I was diagnosed with Hypertension at the age of 17). As such, Heart conditions are a constant concern (my father and grandfather both have had open heart surgeries). In addition, African American men have a higher propensity for Prostate Cancer (My dad’s brother was treated for prostate cancer). So with all of these concerns, it’s no wonder that I go to the doctor.
But I know it’s not easy. With all of these cultural propensities, you would think that I would run to the doctor. However, let’s be real. It took my meeting, dating and marrying a very special woman who was adamant about wanting to spend the rest of her life with me, for me to start waking up. Even with the luck of the ages of meeting the special woman in my life, I still slip. Even though she has me eating healthy, those Golden Arches call my name on a regular basis. Even though I work out, I have regular conversation with LAYS and PRINGLES! And we won’t even talk about those late interludes. I have more than my fair share of threesomes with Haagen Daas and Sara Lee.
But all jokes aside, things have gotten a lot more real in recent years. At the age of 40, I’ve had one close friend who had a stroke. One friend who had a bout with cancer. Another friend who was admitted to the hospital twice for kidney failure. Another friend who had major surgery for reproductive problems. Another friend who had surgery on his gall bladder and liver. What’s powerful for me is that all of them are minorities and all them were under the age of 35!!!
Sometimes, in our desire to be STUBBORN and avoid going to the doctor to hear BAD NEWS, we ignore the fact that going to the doctor is a great opportunity to aggressively take the preventive steps necessary to make sure you will be here tomorrow and beyond. As my doctor once said, “The minor inconvenience of going to the doctor today is much better than the significant things we may have to fix tomorrow”. The simple fact is that, going to the doctor should be treated in the same manner as paying your taxes, going to work and going to school. Each day you have now can be added to the ones you have for tomorrow, if you take a moment to ‘get over’ your desire to avoid going to the doctor.
