Know your facts - prostate cancer awareness
07 March 2019
The word cancer means much more to people in the 21st century, but are we more aware about the signs and symptoms to look out for, or just the word itself?
We spoke to Mr Thurairaja, Consultant Urologist here at Spire Harpenden Hospital, about the signs and symptoms to look out for this prostate cancer awareness month.
In the UK, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Over 47,000 men are diagnosed each year, that’s 129 men each day [1]. It is important that prostate cancer is caught quickly, before it has the chance to spread to other areas of the body.
Am I at risk?
Although all men are at risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are a few risk factors to keep in mind:
- Men aged 50 or over
- Men with a family history of prostate cancer
- Black men are more at risk
What should I look out for?
Keeping an eye out for symptoms of prostate cancer is very important. The following are all signs you should be aware of:
- Finding it difficult to urinate
- Having very frequent urges to go to the toilet
- Finding it paining or burning
- Having loss of bladder control
- Having a very weak flow when urinating
However, it is important to note that these symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer. As men get older, their prostates may increase in size due to a non-cancerous condition called prostate enlargement. But each and every healthcare professional would recommend getting checked if you have any of the above signs and symptoms.
Mr Thurairaja states: “With age your water works may worsen. If your water works worsen, it may just be a sign of age-related changes but it is sensible to get tested. Simple tests could not only exclude cancer but could also help to reverse your symptoms through treatments.”
If you are concerned about your prostate, or find you are experiencing these symptoms, book yourself in to see Mr Thurairaja today by calling: 01582 714 420.
[1] Figures taken from Prostate Cancer UK website: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer