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BUILDING CONNECTION SUMMER 2016 63
are found they are removed which lessens your risk of
developing cancer from them. The pathology report on them
also determines when you should have another colonoscopy.
Sometimes nothing is found. It is important to note that the
test is only a screening test and a negative ‘poo test’ doesn’t
completely rule out bowel cancer or polyps so if symptoms
such as excessive tiredness, abdominal pain, constipation
and unexplained weight loss persist, see your GP asap.
The ‘poo test’ is a good one to do. As someone wisely said,
it is probably the only way you are going to have the pleasure
of sending shit back to the government! But it is only a
good test if you actually do it. Unfortunately the take up is
disappointingly poor, particularly in blokes. A bit over 30% of
blokes do the test. There are still 60% of early bowel cancers
missed.
Come on fellers, we can do better than that. It is simple
to do. Before you put it away in the too hard basket, open
it up and read the instructions. There must be cupboards
or fridges full of these kits. I know most blokes aren’t good
at reading the instructions but these are really simple.
Basically, put the floating mat in the toilet. Enjoy a good poo,
perhaps while reading a chapter of one of my books and then
pierce the “Richard the Third” with the plastic stick provided
and put it into the labelled container. Put that in the fridge
overnight and warn the family about it in case they think it
is a tooth pick and repeat the deed the next day. Mail it off in
the postage pack provided and Bob’s your uncle.
It takes a few weeks for the result to come back. You will
receive a letter saying whether it was positive or negative
and a copy will have gone to your GP if you have nominated
him or her to receive a copy. If it is positive then see your GP
but don’t panic or be scared to follow up.
That is prostate and bowel cancer screening in a nutshell.
I think we as blokes can do it a bit better. The challenge
is there for you all to increase the screening of these two
important diseases and I am sure you can. Remember the
words of Hawthorn’s famous coach John Kennedy… Do!
Go Hawks!
Stay happy and healthy. Bernie #51
IF THERE IS FAMILY HISTORY OF
PROSTATE CANCER THEN THE
STARTING YEAR DEPENDS ON THE
STRENGTH OF THE FAMILY HISTORY.
BLOKES HEALTH ..................................................................................$19.95
A DOCTOR’S GUIDE (CODE 394)
This is an absolute gem of a publication and a valuable resource for men of
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There aren’t many books you can buy that could actually SAVE YOUR LIFE!
$19.95*
CODE 394
BLOKES’ HEALTH 2...............................................................................$19.95
DEPRESSION, DIABETES AND DICKS! (CODE 671)
Following in the footsteps of Dr Bernie Crimmins original best-seller,
Blokes’ Health: comes Blokes Health 2. We all want to live as long and
as healthy as we can, with good quality of life. In this book Dr Bernie
Crimmins outlines the main health problems that affect males and gives
some simple advice on how to prevent, or detect early, those particular
diseases which may lead to an early demise.
$19.95*
CODE 671
Simply complete the TRADESTUFF order form on
page 9 or buy online at
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