New spit test for prostrate cancer...

What pisses me off more is DP goes to the GP with a random pain somewhere and he gets tests, scans, follow ups.....

I get "how is your home life? Are you stressed?"

FUCK OFF

I know there is inequality in healthcare with so much medical research based on ‘default male’ bodies and women’s symptoms so often disbelieved and downplayed. But men don’t have it all their own way either - they are less likely to see a doctor about early symptoms and more likely to die younger.

I don’t begrudge men this advance.

I did a spit test to check whether I had the BRCA genes. Isn't this pretty much the same, just with the previous success/knowledge being used to obtain population wide data they don't have for men?

Should be able to determine higher risk of prostate cancer in a man just by looking at him - black men at 50 % higher risk. Brilliant article by Steve McQueen at week or so back.
And do a spit or blood test

It took three years for someone to tell me that the problems with my dodgy knee are a) probably arthritis, and b) my ACL might be detached. Or it might not. Who knows? The only treatment I was offered was physio but when the physio heard the crunchy noises my knee makes she went pale and said that there's nothing she can do. And that was it.

There are undoubtedly many issues with women's healthcare but it's not exactly red carpet treatment if you're a man either.

Well no, you’re right, however swab testing for hpv was a thing a good few years ago. Rolling it out universally across the NHS would have likely increased take up of cervical testing amongst all women - particularly those women (like me) for whom the smear test is not just a simple two minute, mildly uncomfortable procedure. But they didn’t. And I’m not even sure if they have now tbh.
But yes, this is a good thing, certainly have seen a fair few of my male family and friends diagnosed in the last few years so this is welcome.

Not to mention the huge ultrasound probe up their rear ends which I wouldn't wish on anyone,male or female.

Not everything has to be a battle of the sexes 🙄

I think its brilliant news and I'm sure women will get their turn eventually!

Like a PP said, this isn't a test to see if you have it only if you are genetically high risk. DH has it running in his family so has an annual anal examination. This spit test could remove that need if it shows he doesn't carry the gene. If he does then the annual finger wiggle up his arse would continue. It's very much like the breast cancer genetic tests can help identify which women with a family history of breast cancer need additional testing/option for preventative mastectomy etc.

So do men in this instance, this spit test isn't diagnostic and you'll be pleased to hear men still have invasive and often painful/uncomfortable tests if they are shown to be high risk or have symptoms. By the way, women have had similar spit tests for different cancers for a while now.

So again, what specifically about this do you agree with OP on?

The spit test doesn’t diagnose. The finger up the arse will be part of the diagnosis process. I’m assuming men would prefer a different procedure too

I agree, great news for men and always good to see advancements.

But it does feel like the comfort of women getting any diagnosis is not as important as men's!

I am also in a bad/juvenile mood today OP and I see your point.

Do you know it took over a year for someone to diagnose my endometriosis. I bloody knew it was endo. I told them that’s what I thought it was. They just would not take me seriously.

I simply don’t believe a man would have had such a hard time.

I've never had a hand up my vagina during a cervical screening. Have you?

Prostate cancer treatment is invasive, I'm just glad they are developing accurate tests. A lot of men won't go to the doctor if they start having problems/symptoms of possible prostate cancer.

Everything.

2025 - and women have to go through uncomfortable and painful procedures to check for diseases.

Isn’t there a scan or something available? Why does another person have to put their hand up my vagina for cervical screening?

And more money is spent on breast cancer research
Possibly because men get breast cancer too.

I hear you OP. This test is a good thing but it does seem unfair, especially when it's on the back of a recently announced new male contraception in the pipeline that doesn't involve hormones 😤

The new drug, called YCT-529, is a first-in-class, hormone-free and orally administered male contraceptive.

Maybe different tests work better for some cancers than others. If the spit test showed markers for breast cancer I assume mammograms would still have to be used to locate the lump.

And more money is spent on breast cancer research

Hopefully similar tests may be developed for women.

But then given how underfunded healthcare research is, that is specifically for women, probably not.

The spit test is to detect the genetic markers that mean you're more likely to develop prostate cancer. It's like the spit tests that have been used for years to detect the genetic markers that mean you're more likely to develop breast cancer.

Apropos of nothing, I believe that young people these days are vaccinated against the disease that is the leading cause of cervical cancer.

But yeah, men get all the good stuff.

Well medicine is highly make centric and until that changes they will make things less invasive. You can bet that if they had periods and babies there would be an easier and more dignified way invented.

What bit do you agree with?

And if they need an actual biopsy they need a large needle through the perineum… nothing is fair about cancer OP. This is the least of it.

I agree OP.

Surely this is a good thing. We don't have to turn everything into a war of the sexes.