Information is power

I am a keen genealogist, I’ve spent hours over many years tracking down people who share the tiniest drop of a bloodline. It has taken me all over the World. One of the many fascinating discoveries I made was the grandaughter of Dad’s Uncle Robert who emigrated to South Africa in 1920s then disappeared so far as the remaining family was aware. Sally was able to tell me about the medical issues their branch of the family had, Type 1 diabetes and thyroid. Bingo, it was a match and provided me with answers which had hung in the air for years. Those genes!

Genes have become a modern day fascination of medical communities. You cannot be unaware of the contribution the discovery of how to read DNA has made to medical science. It is relevant to Prostate Cancer. For some people, including Tom, the susceptability to this cancer is thought to increase with heritage. His father and his uncle were both diagnosed. We don’t know of any other member of the family having had the disease. In the past Prostate Cancer would only be recognised at an advanced stage and life expectancy was much lower than today. It is likely many men living with the condition would die of something else without being aware of the cancer.

Another interesting aspect of increased diagnosis of Prostate Cancer within family groups is how far awareness plays a role. Today we are so much more aware of those blood links but maybe 30 years ago the death of a grandfather as a result of Prostate Cancer would be mourned by sons and grandsons, brothers, nephews and cousins but would they all go out and get a PSA? (It wasn’t readily available then but you get the point.) So is the incidence within family groups partly a consequence of awareness?

Colin Jackson, our Olympic hero, certainly thinks so. He has linked up with fellow athelete Donovan Bailey to spread the word. Colin has checks every 2 years – 2 of his uncles were diagnosed. Donovan lost his grandfather and 2 uncles have been diagnosed. In their case the ethnic factor comes in to play. The incidence of the disease in black men with West Indian heritage is 1 in 4. Colin was born in Wales but his parents had emigrated from Jamaica while Donovan was born there.

Then there is age. The older you men are the more likely you are to be living with Prostate Cancer. Much of this is down to the changes in your body in middle age.

Those incidence rates I’ve quoted are useful, they give us information. Information = power. The problem is making sure you get the right kind of information and act on it.

·        You don’t need any of these heritage factors to get Prostate Cancer.

·        Being aware and acting early gives you the best chance of survival.

·        Sharing this message with your family, friends and colleagues could help keep them safe.