Prostate cancer

It's Prostate Cancer Awareness Week - do you know how to spot the early signs of British men's most dangerous cancer?

Thousands of men are not aware they are at risk of prostate cancer - even as they get older, The Prostate Cancer Charity has warned.

The Prostate Cancer Charity Chief Executive, John Neate said, "Our ICM poll published today (March 20th) found that one in four people over 55 did not think increasing age was a major risk factor in prostate cancer. This is highly concerning given the sharp increase in the incidence of prostate cancer with advancing age."

"One in 11 UK men is now at risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer yet our poll paints a picture of ongoing public confusion about prostate cancer and the risks associated with it."

Awareness

Prostate Cancer Awareness Week is an annual health awareness campaign organised by The Prostate Cancer Charity.

During the week thousands of individuals and groups across the UK will join forces to help raise awareness of prostate cancer and raise vital funds to improve research, information and support services for men and their families who are affected by this disease.

Every year over 30,000 men are diagnosed with the disease and 10,000 men die from it.  Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK – every hour at least one man dies from this disease.
 
African Caribbean men are three times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than their white counterparts.
 
Facts

What is the prostate gland?
Only men have a prostate gland. The gland is roundish, and is the size and shape of a walnut. It is in the pelvis, at the base of the bladder. The gland surrounds the urethra (the tube through which you pass urine).
 
What does it do?
Its main job is to make some of the fluid of semen. Semen carries sperm and is the liquid that men ejaculate on orgasm.
 
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Not all men get symptoms and not all men have exactly the same symptoms. The symptoms are usually problems urinating.
 
Symptoms

• frequent need to urinate, especially at night
• rushing to the toilet
• difficulty starting to urinate
• straining to pass urine
• taking a long time to urinate
• having a weak flow
• getting the feeling that your bladder has not emptied properly when you have finished urinating
• dribbling after urination is complete
• pain or discomfort on passing urine
• lower back pain
• pain in the pelvis, hips or thighs
• impotence
• blood in the urine – but this is rare

It is important to realise that any of these symptoms can be caused by problems which are nothing to do with prostate cancer. If you are concerned about any symptoms that you have, visit your GP.

If you want to know more about the Prostate Cancer Awareness Week and the disease it aims to raise awareness of, simply click on the links on this page or call the Prostate Cancer Awareness helpline on 0845 300 8383