IT kills more that 11,500 men each year.
Despite being the most common cancer in men, very few people are aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer.
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An alarming one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer within their lifetime.
Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any symptoms and there is no free NHS screening test like there are for other types of the disease.
There are signs you should be aware of that could help you decide if you need to get treatment.
Because they don’t always appear, it’s also important to be aware of who is most at risk.
The prostate, a small gland about the size of a walnut, is responsible for removing urine from the body and creating semen.
Clueless
YouGov conducted a survey and found that 78% of men are unaware of the signs and symptoms associated with prostate cancer.
Only one in eight men spotted the most recognised symptom, which is having to – or feeling the need to – urinate more frequently.
Prostate Cancer UK suggests the following possible changes men might notice:
- It is difficult to empty your bladder or start urinating.
- A weak flow of urine when you urinate
- a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
- dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- Not being able to urinate as often as usual, especially at night.
- a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.
If prostate cancer has spread, it may cause:
- back pain, hip pain or pelvis pain
- Problems getting and keeping an erection
- Blood in the urine, or semen
- Unexplained weight loss
Amy Rylance, head of improving care at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, which makes it especially concerning that most men aren’t aware of some basic facts about the disease.
“However, it’s important to note that prostate cancer doesn’t usually have symptoms until it’s already spread. This means men can’t afford to wait for symptoms before they act and should consider their risk instead.”
Know your risks
Prostate cancer is more common in older men than those over 50.
The survey revealed that even men in their 50s did not know about the symptoms of the disease.
Neither did 60% of the 60-year-olds nor 54% of those in 70.
Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than their white counterparts.
One in five men has had a prostate exam with a physician, but many people are reluctant to get one done.
One in five (18%) of men claim they are “not very”Or “not at all”The six per cent of those who stated they would not take it, were willing to submit to such a test.
Men who have a higher chance of getting diagnosed should talk to their GP. The option to have tests may be available, but it can be difficult for them to make the right decision.
PSA (or blood test) detects prostate cancer by measuring the levels of PSA, a protein that is produced both by normal and cancerous cells.
PSA levels can change due to many factors, including exercise, medication, and ejaculation. This could lead to additional, unnecessary tests like invasive biopsies.
PSA tests are beneficial because they detect prostate cancer before it manifests.
Treatment is usually not necessary if prostate cancer has been detected in its early stages.
These cases are where doctors follow a policy. “watchful waiting”.
Radiotherapy and hormone therapy are all options for treatment.
Because the benefits of the PSA test don’t overwhelmingly outweigh the disadvantages, men are not screened for prostate cancer regularly on the NHS.
Each year, prostate cancer is diagnosed in approximately 47,500 men.
It is possible to reduce your risk of getting prostate cancer by eating a healthy diet, but only 60% of the men surveyed knew this.
Consuming high levels of calcium is thought to increase your risk. However, eating brazil nuts and tomatoes could reduce it. More research is needed to determine the effects of diet.
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