Share page Movember is over and it’s time for a shave. But first I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve learned or relearned in the four months since diagnosis.
I’m very fortunate, in many ways. My employer not only pays for but requires regular health checks, which found my cancer. Moreover, I have incredibly supportive friends, family, colleagues and clients. It’s a reminder not to take these things for granted.
Prostate cancer is quite prevalent. 1 in 8 UK men will get it in their lifetime. For black men, it’s 1 in 4. It’s very treatable if found in time - which brings me to testing.
The doctor’s finger up your arse is not the only test. Indeed, it isn’t even a good test. Much better (still not perfect) is a blood test for levels of Prostate Specific Antigen, or PSA. This isn’t routinely screened for but any man over 50 can request it from their GP. So don’t be deterred if you have any symptoms (basically, issues with urinating or ejaculating) or a family history. If you think any of THIS is undignified, then trust me: if you have prostate cancer, there is a whole other scale of indignity which only properly comes into view at the biopsy stage. So get over yourself, and see a GP.
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Well, the mo’ and I finished the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town - the tache was slightly in front, in 43h55.
Margin for error over two full days: just 65 minutes. And that with nearly everything going right - fuelling, hydration, GI. This is a hard, hard course. As a reference, it took me literally twice as long as the Canal Corridor 100 in Ohio did. I saw some beautiful scenery and met some lovely people on the way.
The memories will live extra long because this will be my last ultra for a while. In two weeks I am having my prostate removed. Not ideal, but we ultrarunners are problem solvers by nature. We find a way up or down a cliff.
Well, the mo’ and I finished the RMB Ultra-trail Cape Town - the tache was slightly in front, in 43h55.
Margin for error over two full days: just 65 minutes. And that with nearly everything going right - fuelling, hydration, GI. This is a hard, hard course. As a reference, it took me literally twice as long as the Canal Corridor 100 in Ohio did. I saw some beautiful scenery and met some lovely people on the way.
The memories will live extra long because this will be my last ultra for a while. In two weeks I am having my prostate removed. Not ideal, but we ultrarunners are problem solvers by nature. We find a way up or down a cliff.
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