Men’s Health Over 40: My Prostate scare (No Bum Poking Required)
- Will Douglas
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Let’s talk about something most men shy away from: prostate health. And before you clench your bum cheeks up reading this, don’t worry.
This isn’t one of those stories where I had to bend over at the doctor’s office. Quite the opposite, actually.
I recently had a bit of a scare. I was knocked down with the flu, and on top of the usual body aches and fatigue, I started noticing a weak urine stream , the need to go more often and some internal discomfort . I figured it was just dehydration or some random side effect of being sick. But once the flu cleared and those symptoms lingered, I thought, “Right, time to get this checked.”
The New Normal for Prostate Checks
I booked in with my GP, who listened to the symptoms and straight away said it sounded like an enlarged prostate. I immediately braced myself for that exam we all joke about: the glove, the finger, the awkward eye contact.
But nope. He told me the days of mandatory “bum poking” are over for most cases.
Instead, I was referred for a simple ultrasound. That’s it. No bloods, no invasive tests, just a quick, non-invasive scan that gave a clear image of what was going on. The result? Yes, my prostate is enlarged (a very common condition for guys over 40, called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH), but because I wasn’t having ongoing or worsening symptoms, there was no need for further testing or treatment. Just something to monitor over time.
Why This Matters for Blokes Over 40
Here’s the thing, prostate enlargement is incredibly common as we age. It doesn’t always mean cancer. But left unchecked, it can cause complications or mask something more serious. That’s why it’s crucial to get checked early, even if it feels a bit uncomfortable to bring up.
And to be clear: you can get checked without the old-school DRE (digital rectal exam). Doctors now often use ultrasound and other imaging tools, and blood tests like PSA if necessary. It’s quick, painless, and you’ll walk away with peace of mind.
Don’t Let Embarrassment Be the Enemy & cost you your health.
• ~25,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in Australia.
• 70 Aussie men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day.
• Over 3,700 men die from prostate cancer annually - about 10 a day.
• 95.6% of men survive at least 5 years after diagnosis.
• Men in rural areas have a 24% higher death rate than those in cities.
I get it, men don’t like talking about this stuff. But honestly, there’s nothing embarrassing about being proactive with your health. In fact, there’s something empowering about it. Especially when you realise how many men avoid it out of outdated fear or misinformation.
Final thoughts
So here’s my message to other men out there, especially those over 40:
If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Get it checked. Chances are, it’ll be a simple scan and a chat. And even if there is something going on, catching it early gives you more options and a much better outcome.
Take care of yourself. No awkward exams required.
References:
• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. (2023). Prostate Cancer in Australia: Key Statistics.
• Cancer Council Victoria. (2022). Prostate Cancer Statistics and Trends.
• Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. (2021). Prostate Cancer in Australia – What Do the Numbers Tell Us?.
