The cancer is the most commonly diagnosed in men in the UK, with up to one in eight men affected by the disease
Men over 50 are being encouraged to take action as they face a higher risk of prostate cancer. The disease affects up to one in eight men but often shows no early symptoms and lacks a national screening programme.
In honour of Movember, Dr Sameer Sanghvi is raising awareness about a simple blood test known as a PSA test. Men over 50 can get it for free from their GP to check if they’re at risk of prostate cancer.
He said: “Men are often squeamish about prostate testing because they think it involves a digital rectal exam (or physical anal exam in other words). But this is not the case – blood tests and MRI are some of the less invasive methods of checking for prostate cancer.
“Plus, while I understand why rectal examinations can make patients feel embarrassed, I’d like to remind men that they shouldn’t be painful and are over very quickly.”
Those in higher risk groups, such as those with a family history of prostate cancer or from a Black ethnic group, may be able to access a PSA test for free from the age of 45.
The GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor added: “In the UK, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men. 395,000 men are currently living with this type of cancer in the UK and one in eight men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime. For black men that number’s higher – one in four.
“Although prostate cancer is very prevalent, survival rates are some of the highest. The ten-year survival rate is about 80% – around 30% higher than many of the most commonly diagnosed cancers.
“Usually, symptoms will only appear when the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the tip of the penis. This is why it’s so vital to get tested if you have any concerns.”
When the disease advances to this stage, it can disrupt a person’s toilet habits – including making them feel desperate or leaving them with frequent urges to urinate. It can also cause stop-start flow while a person is weeing, or lead to struggles when someone is trying to urinate.
Further warning signs of prostate cancer include difficulties getting erections, blood in urine or semen, lower back pain, and unexplained weight loss. The NHS says these can signal advanced prostate cancer.
The health service also explains: “These symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer. You can also get some of these symptoms if you have an enlarged prostate. This is a non-cancerous condition caused by the prostate getting larger as you get older.”
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