Medical Health

with Kirsty Lilley

Earlier this year, much-loved journalist and BBC television presenter Bill Turnbull passed away due to prostate cancer. He spent the last few years of his life raising awareness of the disease, which sees one in eight men diagnosed in their lifetime. This makes it the most common male cancer in the UK.

According to Prostate Cancer UK, the disease kills more than 11,500 men in the UK every year, with another 47,500 diagnosed. Worryingly, most men don’t know anything about the illness, according to male cancer charity Orchid.

The risk of prostate cancer increases as you get older, with most cases developing in men aged 50 or older, the NHS says. Black men are more likely to be affected, while it is less common among Asian men. The risk is also higher for those with a family history of the disease.

Men who have these risk factors may be offered a test by their GP, but there is no national screening programme for the disease. As with all cancers, the earlier it is found, the easier it is to treat.

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system. About the size of a walnut, it is located between the penis and the bladder, and surrounds the urethra. Its main function is to produce a thick white fluid that creates semen when mixed with the sperm produced by the testicles.

Symptoms of prostate cancer will usually not appear until the cancer is large enough to press against the urethra. If you find yourself needing to urinate more often, having to wait longer before you can pass urine, or urinating involuntarily after going to the toilet, it is a good idea to get checked by a doctor.

However, Prostate Cancer UK says it is more likely to be a sign of a very common noncancerous problem in men –an enlarged prostate. Other warning signs include erectile dysfunction, blood in urine, weight loss or any new and unexplained lower back pain.

There is no single test for prostate cancer. All the tests used to help diagnose the condition have benefits and risks that your doctor should discuss with you. The most commonly used tests for prostate cancer are: • Blood tests • A physical examination of the prostate known as a digital rectal examination (DRE) • An MRI scan • A biopsy

If you do have prostate cancer, you may not need treatment. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, your doctor may suggest either ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘active surveillance’. The best option depends on your age and overall health. Both options involve carefully monitoring your condition. Some cases of prostate cancer can be cured if treated in the early stages. Early detection is always the key. If you are concerned, talk to your GP, or for further information visit www.nhs.uk/ conditions/prostate-cancer or www.prostatecanceruk.org The Local Answer To advertise call 01242 510500 Page 7