1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and more than 47,500 men are diagnosed every year. It’s important for us all to develop a better understanding of the signs of prostate cancer and know what steps to take to beat it.
Cancer is when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrollable way, with some spreading into other tissues.
And the prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system. It is about the size of a walnut and is located between the penis and the bladder, surrounding the urethra. As the prostate is so small not many people know where it is. This can mean it’s often forgotten about, which it shouldn’t be as it’s one of the most common types of cancer in men.
Prostate cancer often goes unnoticed because of its lack of symptoms. Physical symptoms are often only felt when the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure of the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis).
Once this happens common symptoms include:
It’s important to note that the presence of these symptoms do not mean you have prostate cancer. Many men experience prostate growth as they age due to a non-cancerous condition called ‘benign prostate enlargement'.
If you experience these symptoms, it is worth a conversation with your GP, just in case they are pointing toward cancer. The earlier the cancer is caught the better the treatment options are and the more likely you are to lead a long and healthy life.
There are some further symptoms that you should not ignore:
If you experience any of the above, it is important you see your GP as soon as possible as these can be indicators that the cancer has spread.
If you are over the age of 45 it is worth speaking with your GP about whether or not you need your prostate checked. If you have any of the symptoms outlined you should book to see your GP, but even if you have no symptoms there are some risk factors to be aware of that you should mention to your GP in your discussion.
The best advice is to have a discussion with your GP and raise all your potential risk factors and decide with them if you should get the PSA blood test.
For most men, a check-up every two to three years is enough. However, depending on the results of your first PSA test, your doctor may recommend when you should next get screened.
If you’ve had a discussion with your GP and decided together you’d like to have your prostate checked then here’s what you can expect during your appointment.
Usually, the GP will use a combination of the above to assess your next steps.
All clear
Regardless of your risk factors, you may receive the all-clear from the GP. In this instance, they will discuss with you how often you should get screened in the future.
Raised levels of PSA
If your results come back with raised PSA levels it’s important not to panic. PSA testing alone is unreliable and why GPs are likely to perform a physical exam.
If your PSA level is raised it doesn’t mean you have aggressive prostate cancer, indeed many men have slow-moving prostate cancer that has no impact on their lifespan.
If your GP is concerned about your test results, they may recommend an MRI scan before doing further invasive tests.
Confirmation of harmful prostate cancer
If your results are more serious, your GP will explain the next steps and refer you to a team of specialists that will advise on treatment and care. The doctors will use the results of biopsies and scans to identify the stage of the cancer and the corresponding treatments available.
If prostate cancer is caught at an early stage the chances of survival are very good, which is why it’s so important to discuss prostate checks with your GP.
For many people with prostate cancer, no treatment will be necessary as the cancer is very slow-moving and depending on age, unlikely to affect lifespan.
When treatment is necessary the aim is always to cure or control the cancer, so it doesn’t affect everyday life and doesn’t shorten life expectancy.
The types of treatments can include:
These treatments cover a wide range of types and stages of prostate cancer, with the latter only being used in extreme cases. Treatment plans will always be explained to you fully by your team of specialists, while your GP is also there to support you during this time whether through further explanation or emotional support.
If you’re worried about your prostate cancer risk, or the risks for someone you love, we recommend booking a Men’s Health Appointment to discuss your concerns and work with one of our expert GPs to decide if screening is right for you. Our friendly team are here to give you world-class private healthcare, so you can be sure your concerns are taken seriously, and you’re given the time you need.
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