Latest news with #Burkey
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
'Prostate cancer diagnosis felt like a black hole'
A man diagnosed with incurable prostate cancer said the news felt like falling into a "black hole", as he urged others to check for signs of the disease. Danny Burkey, from Ossett, was diagnosed in 2021, and was told his condition was incurable after a bone scan. The 59-year-old spoke as Prostate Cancer UK launched a campaign urging men to visit their GP with prostate concerns, in the hope of an early diagnosis. Mr Burkey told BBC Radio Leeds: "You think it is always going to happen to somebody else; you just cannot believe it is you." Mr Burkey sought a diagnosis after experiencing symptoms related to prostate cancer. According to the NHS, symptoms can include: Having a sudden urge to urinate Getting up often in the night to urinate Blood in your urine Erectile dysfunction. "I had a blood test, an MRI and a biopsy," Mr Burkey said. Recalling being told his illness was incurable, he said: "You are almost standing next to yourself thinking, I do not know what to do with this. "You just cannot process it." According to Prostate Cancer UK, one in eight men will get prostate cancer. It is now England's most common cancer. Despite the prevalence, the charity's research suggests six in 10 men are concerned about having a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). Of those, over a third would not speak to a GP about prostate worries because they feared the DRE exam. Mr Burkey urged men to seek a diagnosis despite barriers, saying: "You do not need to have a DRE now. "You can ask your GP for a simple blood test and that gets the ball rolling, it is as simple as that." Earlier this week, the British Association of Urological Surgeons urged GPs to stop using the "outdated" and "inaccurate" DRE as a standard test. They labelled it a "poor test" that deterred men from coming forward. Men are encouraged to use Prostate Cancer UK's 30-second online risk checker and to talk to their GP about the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A high level of PSA in the blood can indicate prostate cancer. Research led by Prostate Cancer UK shows that the way prostate cancer is diagnosed - with a PSA blood test followed by an MRI scan - reduces potential harms to men by 79%. Among those to catch the disease early was actor Colin McFarlane. McFarlane, who has appeared in The Dark Knight and Doctor Who, announced he had prostate cancer on the BBC Breakfast sofa in June 2023. He said: "I'm really lucky I caught it early, so I thought if I'm lucky and I know so much about this, I need to try and share this knowledge." McFarlane's friend, theatre director Femi Elufowoju Jr said hearing his story encouraged him to get checked, which led him to also being diagnosed. He thanked McFarlane for saving his life. Despite treatment, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Mr Burkey's body has stopped responding to advanced hormone therapy. He said: "Inevitably your body becomes resistant, the cancer becomes resistant to them. "You are constantly having your PSA levels monitored to see how treatments are working. "You are constantly sort of on your toes thinking where am I up to now? "What have I still got left that can be used? "It is a very anxious time. "I do not want another man to be in the position I am in." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. 'Colin McFarlane saved my life', says director 'Going from cancer doctor to patient was bizarrely reassuring' NHS Prostate Cancer UK
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coralville Costco employees announce plans to unionize for 'dignity and respect'
More than 200 workers at a local Costco have unveiled plans to unionize. Employees at the Coralville Costco along Heartland Drive are poised to unionize with Teamsters 238, citing a fight to win back "dignity and respect" amid "years of declining workplace conditions." Flyers titled "Hold Costco Accountable" were distributed outside the Englert Theatre on Feb. 22 ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders' visit. The flyers say Costco has spread "anti-union propaganda" and violated worker's rights by "blocking the distribution of pro-union materials in break rooms," which prompted the Teamsters to file a charge against Costco management in Coralville. "Costco should respect their employees' rights under federal law to organize with their coworkers," Teamsters 238 Secretary-Treasurer Jesse Case said in a statement. "When good companies like Costco violate workers' rights, it comes across as petty and unnecessary." The Iowa City Press-Citizen filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the National Labor Relations Board for the Teamsters' filing. Specifics about the charging document were not immediately available Monday afternoon. More: Bernie Sanders says Iowa Democratic Party has 'itself to blame' for losing Iowa Caucuses A letter to Costco employees posted on the Teamsters 238 website warned that company management may engage in group or one-on-one meetings, will "likely distribute anti-union literature," and may replace managers. "Don't buy any of it," the letter read. "While employers love to play nice during a union organizing drive and bribe employees with promises and pizza parties, they always revert to the same old way of doing business once the organizing drive is over." Teamsters 238 represents thousands of workers across Iowa as part of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a nationwide union that represents millions of workers in the state. Sen. Bernie Sanders, in his Saturday visit to Iowa City, was preceded by several speakers highlighting some of his talking points, including a former park ranger, a University of Iowa student, a union head and VA nurse and a local Costco employee. Sandy Burkey took the stage in front of the capacity crowd at the Englert with emotion. She has worked at Costco for a "long time" and is the local produce supervisor. Burkey loves her job, she said, but compared when she started working there, things have "gone downhill." "We used to be valued. We used to be more than just numbers to the company," Burkey said. "And it's time that we remind Costco that we are the company." More: Bernie Sanders slams Donald Trump, Elon Musk in 'Fighting Oligarchy' stop in Iowa City The address prompted cheers and claps from the packed theatre. Burkey also urged community members not to boycott the store, but to stop by, say 'hi' and help provide courage to continue fighting for unionization. "We need your support, and we need the courage to keep going," Burkey said. "And we're asking you to join our community coalition for worker's rights. We're asking you to follow us and help us join the other 18,000 Costco Teamsters." State Sen. Zach Wahls, D-Coralville, also voiced support for Costco employees unionizing in the district he represents. "Workers in Coralville and across Iowa deserve the freedom to organize without interference from management," Wahls said. "Costco's actions undermine the fundamental rights of its employees. I stand with these workers and the growing coalition fighting to ensure their voices are heard." Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@ or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01. This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Find out why 200 Costco employees in Coralville are unionizing
