So Roxburgh harness trainer Geoff Knight has a timely reminder for the blokes in the industry - get tested when they hit the half-century.
Knight (56) had his prostate removed at Mercy Hospital in Dunedin on Friday, after blood tests last year showed a continued rise in his PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels.
"I went for a ‘man's test' last year. It was up a wee bit, so they kept an eye on it, and they sent me in for another check and there was a wee bit of cancer on one side,'' Knight said from his home, near Roxburgh, yesterday.
"It gives you a fright when you get told, but when they give you all the stats and outcomes, it eases your mind a lot.''
Knight is happy to speak out about the process, as he knows the reluctance of many men to visit the doctor.
"We're terrible at it,'' he said.
"I'm 57 this month and when I was 50, I never went.
"I put it off, saying there's nothing wrong with me.
"We send our wives along to get the cervical cancer and mammogram tests, and we don't go ourselves because we think we're too good for it.''
Knight had no symptoms to suggest there was anything wrong.
He had no problems passing urine and no pain in the area, which is why he is urging other men in the racing industry to get checked once they turn 50.
"I had no pain, not a symptom in the world, and that's the scary thing,'' he said.
"They got it really early and their advice was to get it out. It was a five-hour operation, so it was a biggie but I'm feeling good.
"Unless they don't detect it early, there's a huge chance of full recovery. They said since you're so young, go and get it out.''
The blood test is the first step, and is a simple process for men afraid of invasive procedures.
"It's a blood test for a start and then if they suspect it, they'll give you the finger treatment. It's not that bad, it's 10 seconds and it's over,'' he said.
Knight joked the biggest casualty of his recuperation in recent days was his TAB account, as he spent many hours on the couch watching Trackside.
He will miss tomorrow night's meeting at Forbury Park but hopes to be a spectator from his car at Gore on Sunday.
And he is happy to give advice to any cautious trainers, drivers or jockeys who are wary about visiting the doctor.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to be scared of,'' he said.
"I'm not scared to talk about it and not scared for anyone to know about it. Get on to it early if you've got it and get it dealt with.''
