National Commando Day

[Bigkahuna]

I am going to try and type this as seriously as possible ...
"and you can also visually show your support by donning a the blue prostate cancer ribbon ..."

And get a note from your MD to get your PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) checked. It's the first line of defence in prostate cancer detection. And it doesn't hurt.

[Bigkahuna]

I don't know where you've been, my boy, but I see you've won first prize!

[Mipi]

I'm not the resident of US, but can do may part of job remotely.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Ok, gang, a semi-serious question. (All joking about blue ribbons aside, prostate cancer is a serious issue).

I looked over their web site, and I still don't understand one thing.

How is "not wearing underwear" on July 31 supposed to "raise awareness" or "raise funding," which are the two stated goals?

I mean if I were wearing a certain t-shirt, or a certain lapel pin, or a cap or something that people could see, I would understand how that might raise awareness.

Onlooker: "Hey, Matt, what's that pin you are sporting have to do with?"
Me: "Oh, it's for prostate cancer awareness. Did you know that 9 out of 10 men get prostate cancer before they turn 80?"

And a conversation ensues....

But if I simply go without underwear for that day (whether I'm in pants or in the kilt), how on earth is that supposed to raise awareness of anything? How are people supposed to know? Am I expected to walk up to a stranger and say, "Hey, I'm not wearing any underwear. Want to know why?"

I suppose I could tell the officer that would be escorting me off the premises about prostate cancer. :-)

Seriously, prostate cancer is something to be aware of, and a serious issue affecting all men. I'm just not quite sure how this is going to acheive that.

[KFCarter]

Ok, gang, a semi-serious question. (All joking about blue ribbons aside, prostate cancer is a serious issue).

I looked over their web site, and I still don't understand one thing.

How is "not wearing underwear" on July 31 supposed to "raise awareness" or "raise funding," which are the two stated goals? ...


...Seriously, prostate cancer is something to be aware of, and a serious issue affecting all men. I'm just not quite sure how this is going to acheive that.

All kidding aside, that is a good question. There has been some thought that the common use of underwear that is too snug can be a contributing factor to the development of the disease... maybe it's just meant to raise the awareness of the issue to the men who participate.

But you're right, no one in their right mind is going to go around announcing that they're going commando that day. And I can't imagine a baseball broadcast having a celebrity on in between innings to discuss his "brief-less-ness." (Well, okay, maybe I can imagine that).

But at least it does have us talking about it.

:ootd:

[meinfs]

[...]

But at least it does have us talking about it.

:ootd:

and therefore has raised your awareness of it.


And you didn't have to really go commando. It's your choice. As kilt wearers, that comes naturally. Now if you don the the blue ribbon, then that's a symbol that you can talk about IF you wanted to raise other people's awareness.

As for jokes, I'm all for good humor -- it could make the conversation easier but unfortunately, that's also what keeps the stigma going. But it's good to see that in the end you say you're in.

I don't speak for them. I just thought it was relevant to the this group and raise *your* awareness and include a PSA test in your next check-up.

[Bigkahuna]

I am not aware of any stigma associated with having prostate or any other type of cancer. For men, if you live long enough, you will get it. It is that simple. Fortunately, most prostate cancer is very slow growing and you will probably die from something else first. However sometimes it spreads. Thats were the problems start. So get that PSA at least once a year.......Here endeth the lesson. John Walker R.N.

[RB51]

Very interesting thread so far, and good comments all. Cancer, in whatever form, and whomever it inflicts itself upon, is an ugly disease; it robs us of our dignity. Anything that will raise people's awareness of cancer and prevention measures, simple things like a PSA, is nothing but good. I'm in.

Laurie