I have been deeply concerned by reports from my patients, their
families and community about the resistance that Black, Brown, and Red men are
giving pertaining to the prostate digital exam. So, I feel compelled to have a
man to men, heart to heart discussion of this dangerous phenomenon.
First, my brothers you must understand the magnitude of what
you are doing by not dealing with the issue properly. The prostate is a gland, shaped
like a donut just below your bladder and adjacent to your descending colon and
rectum. This gland is responsible for and influences the strength and frequency
of your urination, the ability to hold or retain urine, your erection, sexual
performance, production and storage of semen and sperm, etc., etc. I think you
get the picture!! This gland is a major player in the health and function of
your urogenital/reproductive systems; to make it plain.
When it becomes sick it can swell, become inflamed or become
cancerous; all of these manifestations can and would be very uncomfortable and
painful at the least, but can also cause death. The statistics tell the story
clearly that prostate cancer is one of the major killers of men of color,
period! Hence, when you get your annual physical exam, you should make sure to
have your PSA done. This is a test of the prostate that is included with your
normal blood work. Also, cooperate with your doctor to have the digital exam
done. There is no better medical test of prostate health than the COMBINATION
of the PSA and the DIGITAL EXAM.
The doctor would like to pass over the digital exam as well.
Believe me, he/she does not look forward to doing it; but it must be done to
ensure your health (by the way, I do not give the exam. But, I do get the
digital at my annual physical !) The exam is quick and painless. The doctor
must palpate (press) the prostate to determine the texture, this gives the
doctor an immediate clue as to the health of the prostate gland. This is
important because if there is cancer present, time is of great importance in
treating the disease.
The big social/cultural issue for us to get over is the
machismo, distrust of the medical establishment, and "tough guy" mentality
that conditions us to think that as men we do not need medical help, we are
strong and indestructible like a Transformer or Iron man. Furthermore, we are
not willing to accept a probe of our body by anyone other than our most
intimate partner. I understand this feeling, of course, but we cannot let such
feelings kill us!!!!
I am obviously concerned about this matter and hope that you
feel the sincerity and urgency in my writing on this delicate but important
subject. GET OVER IT for the sake of your children and families; we cannot
afford to lose more men prematurely due to ignorance and fear.
Believe it or not YOU ARE VALUABLE,YOU ARE LOVED, YOU ARE
ADMIRED, AND YOU ARE EMULATED by your women, daughters and sons, and community.
We must change the way we deal with our health. Prevention and early detection
is the key to survival. Let's not just survive but THRIVE!
Respectfully,
Brotha Dr. Meeks
Editor's note: S. Abayomi Obadele Meeks, B.S., D.Ac., L.Ac.
is a doctor of acupuncture and holistic medicine with over 20 years of
experience. He is the first African-American licensed to practice this medicine
in Colorado, and is the founder of Moyo Health and Cultural Arts Center Inc.
