Well-known Galway GAA supporter following US President's motto after cancer diagnosis
Pete says he understands wholeheartedly how hard it could be for men to discuss heart, lungs, prostate or erectile dysfunction problems over a few pints but that he hopes he can change the narrative
A well-known Galway GAA supporter and the man behind one of Galway’s most visited Facebook pages is following an ex US President’s motto after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in the hope of getting other men talking.
Pete Daly, the face behind Ballygar Banter which keeps over 10,000 followers informed on the goings on around the Galway-Roscommon border, bravely used Men’s Health Month in November to reveal his own story.
He said the reason he has finally put pen to paper about the diagnosis is to encourage men of a certain age to discuss prostate symptoms and blood testing with their doctors.
Pete told Galway Live: “I am writing about my own experience as early-stage prostate cancer often presents with no symptoms and making routine check-ups and informed conversations with a healthcare provider is vital.
“I believe Barack Obama was right when he said, ‘Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength’.
“We are men. Historically hunters, gatherers, family protectors. However, despite how heroic and wonderful those attributes are, we are still a very vulnerable cohort of people. Self-inflicted, I may add. Why?
“Because we don’t look after our health enough.
“Women are equally as heroic and even more so because they do not shy away from looking after their health and talking about it openly.”
Pete says that “pride with a serious dose of machoism” is probably the driving force behind why men will shy away from requesting an examination.
“There’s the added fear that the physician may make an unwelcomed diagnosis or refer for a further specialist examination. They may find something you hoped wasn’t there.
“But it’s better to know and get treatment at the earliest stage than living in blissful ignorance sitting on a time bomb.”
Pete says he understands wholeheartedly how hard it could be for men to discuss heart, lungs, prostate or erectile dysfunction problems over a few pints but that he hopes he can change the narrative.
He continued: “I have always been an advocate of men’s health and taking responsibility for my own health and general wellbeing. Because of this I have had life saving bowel and heart surgery along the way.
“Most recently, during the summer, I had my routine bloods checked and it was discovered that my PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) levels had been elevated moderately in a short space of time.”
Further investigations including an MRI and biopsy confirmed the news Pete had hoped he would not receive.
“This came as a bit of a shock to me, as I am still feeling perfectly fit and well. I had a few minor symptoms which I had just chalked down to growing older. I am happy that it has been discovered in good time.”
Next steps for Pete is a prostatectomy which will take place in St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin later this month.
He finishes: “I will be out of action for a while in recovery but expect a very positive outcome. Finally, all I can do is highlight the importance of early detection and reducing the diagnosis to a temporary inconvenience. That is how I view my situation.”