About prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed male cancer in the United Kingdom. Each year about 30,000 men are told they have prostate cancer and about 10,000 men die of it – that’s one person every 50 minutes.

Despite these facts, the level of awareness about prostate cancer and its symptoms are far less than for breast cancer, even though death rates from both cancers are similar. If prostate cancer is diagnosed early it can be cured. It is essential therefore that all men know the symptoms of this disease and when to seek help.

What and where is the prostate

The prostate is a gland only men have. It is located just below the bladder and encircles the urethra – the tube that takes urine from the bladder to the penis. The prostate is an essential part of the male reproductive system being responsible for providing most of the fluid in which sperm is transported.

Prostate Cancer

As men get older their prostate gland increases in size. In young men a healthy prostate is about the size of a walnut and weighs around 15 grams. In a man in his fifties it will have grown to about twice this size.

Because the prostate grows as a man gets older, the enlarged prostate can affect the flow of urine from the bladder causing difficulty with weeing. A man with an enlarged prostate may feel the need to go to the toilet more frequently for instance.

An enlarged prostate can be associated with prostate cancer, but more often with prostatitis (an inflammation of the prostate gland) or a common condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Unlike breast cancer there are no visible indications or personal checks that can be carried out.

Risks of contracting prostate cancer

The causes of prostate cancer are not fully understood. It is more prevalent in black men and there is evidence that it runs in families – the risk almost trebles if a father or brother has had it. Other risk factors include physical inactivity and heavy consumption of red meats and fatty foods.

The risk of contracting prostate cancer increases with age. Men aged 50 and over have an increased risk of prostate cancer. At least 40% of men aged 70 have prostate cancer. However, the rate at which prostate cancer grows is very variable, so most of these men will never know they have prostate cancer.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

The symptoms of prostate cancer may be very subtle or their onset so gradual that they may not be noticed at all at first.

A lack of symptoms is common in men with early stage prostate cancer. When symptoms do become obvious it can be that the cancer has been present in the prostate for some time.

Whilst many of the symptoms listed below could indicate prostate cancer they could just as likely be caused by benign disease. Men should seek medical advice immediately they become aware of any of the following symptoms:

Problems with urination (the most common indicator of prostate cancer)
frequent visits to the toilet (especially at night)
a need to rush to the toilet to pass urine
pain when passing urine
a weak or dribbling urine stream
having to wait a long time before urine starts to flow
a feeling of not having emptied the bladder fully

Other possible symptoms (rare)
blood in the urine and/or semen
chronic lower back pain or bone pain
impotence (difficulty having an erection)
fatigue
unexplained weight loss

Remember: getting an early diagnosis of prostate cancer is critical to successful treatment and possible cure.

If you would like more information about prostate cancer log onto the Prostate Cancer Research Centre’s (PCRC) website at: http://www.prostate-cancer-research.org.uk/

For a free copy of the PCRC’s excellent information booklet Treating Prostate Cancer Questions and Answers call: 020 7679 9366 or email: info@prostate-cancer-research.org.uk