Know the enemy

Probably half the time when people learn of my diagnosis, they inquire about my "prostrate surgery."

I don't think I've ever corrected anyone by pointing out that the correct term is "prostate" not "prostrate," but wonder how some of you veterans on the site handle this.

Maybe it's the English major in me, or maybe it's just that I would like to see this serious disease called exactly what it is:  "prostate cancer" not "prostRate cancer." Or, maybe I'm making something out of nothing.  Certainly, the most important issue is awareness, whether we say "prostate" or "prostrate," but precision in language is just as desirable as surgical precision.

 

I was prostrate for a while after my surgery.

its just a common mistake, many new to pc make it, we all learn. 2 years ago, i scarecly knew where my prostate was located, and was clueless as what its function.

We knew there was a prostate, but had never heard about a Cowper's gland - which could keep the orgasm from being 100% dry. Live and learn.

And as an aside, many women can't pronounce "mastectomy" either. They drop that first "t". And BCa has a h*ll of a lot more funding.

I personally very much agree with clocknut.

I intend to correct anyone who says prostrate instead of prostrate.  I will be sure to elaborate with a little educational information whenever possible.  If they are mispronouncing the name of the gland, they could probably use a little information to allow them to properly manage their health.

Retire

I think Retire said that on purpose, and I thought it was funny as heck.

k

This is something that genuinely doesn't bother me, medicine is full of very difficult words and if someone can spell and say prostate perfectly but doesn't know the first thing about PC that would worry me.

My husband who tends to bumble through the English language making up words as he goes, at the beginning called the prostate "prostrate". And yes he knew about psa. Unfortunately with his diagnosis people have said it so many times to him that he actually says it correctly now. I wish we could go back to the days of "prostrate".

An