November is often referred to as Movember..the month where men raise awareness about the importance of getting a prostate exam..
It is one of the top three cancers in men across the country.
Charlie Taylor is a prostate cancer survivor, “If prostate cancer is caught early, there is a 90 per cent recovery rate. It is so important for men to go get their PSA checked. If there is history in the family, doctors will do it at 40. if there isn’t, doctors will recommend you have it done at 50.”
He says by the end of the year, around 750 men in Greater Moncton will have been diagnosed with the disease, and that is why it is so important that exams are done early, “The awareness part, to me, is more important than raising funds, because men don’t like talking about their health. When it comes to talking about getting their PSA checked, men don’t want to talk about it. I had absolutely no symptoms, whatsoever, for prostate cancer when I was diagnosed. Every man who has gone through prostate cancer, their stories are totally different. That is why it is so important for men to get that PSA benchmark.”
Some of the key symptoms of prostate cancer are frequent urination, and blood in your urine.
Taylor is also the Coordinator for the Greater Moncton Prostate Cancer Survivor support group. He says they are a great outlet for anyone who wants to share their experiences with others or learn more about prostate cancer.
They meet the first Wednesday of every month except for July and August. They meet at the occupational building on Driscoll Crescent in Moncton from 7pm to 8:30.
For more information, visit Prostate Cancer Canada