For humor to be effective there must be an element of truth. That the family guy “prostate” episodes are funny shows that men in general would rather not have the prostate exam. This “rectal refusal syndrom” plays a role in delaying the diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Family guy sues doctor for rectal exam. Violated! 

The reason the above resonates as funny is that many men really feel  this way about a doctor doing  the prostate exam. This in turn leads to attempts at early detection being thwarted. 

You hear about a famous person being ” stricken” with terminal prostate cancer almost weekly. What has happened here is a male that , for whatever reason, had not had a prostate exam or a PSA. They were most probably in good health otherwise, no voiding symptoms and life was perking along just fine. The prostate cancer slowly grows, not causing any voiding symptoms and that is the kicker, and spreads to the bones which does cause symptoms and then and only then does this class of patient goes to the doctor. He then finds that he has “terminal” prostate cancer. 

To me it seems there is a lot of press and activity about which treatment is best, if lifestyle matters, do vitamins help, is the PSA worthwhile and such. However, until the male embraces the rectal exam as a necessary part of his yearly physical and that physicals need to take place even if he is doing well, then early awareness in the male regarding prostate cancer will continue to face men who present ” terminal.” 

I say let’s spend money on breaking down the barriers to the male rectal exam. I just don’t want the Family Guy to get prostate cancer. That’s all and I don’t think doctors should come across as weird for recommending them.