British actor and comedian Stephen Fry writes about his struggles with cancer and mental health in a piece published in the Telegraph.
“I've done my best to speak candidly about my own struggles with mental health living with bipolar and navigating my way through several dark and troubling times, including a near-fatal overdose,” writes Fry. “I've also seen a striking number of colleagues and loved ones struggle with their mental health too.”
Read MoreThe actor, whose big break came after he formed a comedy duo with Hugh Laurie, briefly recalls his own teenage years in the piece, during which time he “went around London on stolen credit cards buying ridiculous suits in an attempt to reinvent myself and pull myself out of my own confused despair.”
That was after he had already been expelled from school at the age of 17.
He is now hoping that the government will invest in programs that can help young people deal with their mental struggles.
“So, what is there to be done to better to support our young people? We know that the earlier a young person gets support for their mental health, the more effective that support will be,” writes Fry. “But right now, too many young people are struggling to access such support.”
The programs would provide young people between the ages of 11 to 25 with mental health support in a friendly, non-threatening, non-clinical setting, according to Fry.
Fry believes that if these programs are set up, and all youths are given equal access to them regardless of their economic status, many will be saved from ever reaching the crisis point that almost led to his drug overdose.
At the same time, Fry is also working with the government to encourage people to get screened for cancer.
"A few years ago I was pretty stunned to be given the diagnosis of cancer,” says Fry. "I was very lucky because it was diagnosed early. Finding cancer early makes it more treatable."
He then adds: “Many of us can succumb to cancers but there are symptoms that can be reported by the patient.”
Fry, who has made memorable appearances opposite Jude Law in Wilde, Maggie Smith in Gosford Park, Natalie Portman in V for Vendetta and hobbits in The Hobbit, has said in the past that his life was turned around after he spent three months in Pucklechurch Prison for stealing the credit card that funded his adolescent shopping spree.
Prostate Cancer Clues
“Prostate cancer is a very odd disease in that it doesn't have a particular symptom,” Dr. Edwin Posadas, director of translational oncology and the medical director of the urologic oncology program at Cedars-Sinai, explained in a previous interview with Survivor Net.
Yet there can be changes with urinary function that might be a clue. Are you urinating too much or too little or are waking up at night to go more than usual? These signs could potentially be cancer, but they also could be a urinary tract infection or even an enlargement of the prostate gland (which is not cancer).
During your regular annual exam, ask about your risk for developing the disease, report any unusual urinary or sexual issues and find out whether you should be tested.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms and Clues
When to Get Tested for Prostate Cancer
The guidelines for prostate cancer screening depend largely on your risk for the disease and that’s based on several factors including family history, genetics, age, and race.
Screening is simple and consists of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and a digital rectal exam to feel the prostate gland. “It’s slightly uncomfortable but painless, and takes less than 30 seconds,” says Dr. Posadas.
“The amount of information that is gained from that is tremendous, and it can be a life-and-death type decision that is made,” says Dr. Posadas, who has detected prostate cancer in patients via a rectal exam alone.
What to Expect From Prostate Cancer Screenings
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