Prostate Cancer

Why it is important to increase awareness of prostate cancer?

Many patients have delayed seeking medical help during the Covid pandemic, for what they might feel are minor symptoms.

This is especially true with possible cancer symptoms causing a delay in presentation.  

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men. Around 48,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year. Prostate cancer risk, like most cancers, increases with age.  Prostate cancer is rare under 40.

What is the prostate?

A small gland, the size of a walnut, that sits below the bladder and encompasses the urethra, the tube with which we pass urine. Its main function is producing the fluid that washes semen and keeps the sperm healthy.

What is prostate cancer?

This is when abnormal cells in the prostate grow in an uncontrolled way. Some prostate cancers are slow growing and will cause no symptoms. Others are faster growing and need assessing.

Who is at risk?

All men are at risk of developing prostate cancer. As you get older the risk increases with a peak age between 74-79 years. Numbers are higher in certain ethnic groups, lower in Asian males than white males and higher in black men that white men, those with a first degree relative with prostate cancer and those with a family history of breast cancer.

What are the signs?

Prostate cancer can cause no symptoms. If the prostate enlarges enough and affects the urethra, then some symptoms can be:

·      Passing urine more frequently

·      Getting up in the night to pass urine

·      Weaker flow on passing urine, or feeling of incomplete emptying

·      Urgency

·      Blood in your urine or semen

However, these can also be symptoms of an enlarged prostate which also occurs as men get older.

Any man suffering from the above symptoms should be assessed.

How do we diagnose prostate cancer?

Taking a clear history is the first step. You may then be invited to have an examination of your prostate rectally, where the texture and size of the prostate is assessed. A blood test call the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is another way to assess the prostate.

What is the PSA blood test?

You may have heard of this common test. This test looks for the level of Prostate Specific Antigen in the blood. It is normal for all men to have some PSA in the blood, however high levels can be a sign of cancer.

What if my PSA is raised?

The PSA can be raised naturally as we get older by non-cancerous conditions. It can also be raised for other reasons, such as testing after vigorous exercise, therefore the timing of the test is important. If the PSA is raised a further referral is generally warranted to a Urology Specialist for investigation and discussion on management options.  This may include an MRI scan of the prostate

What next?

If you have any questions on the above, or if you would like to arrange a screening, book an appointment with one of our highly experienced GP’s today.