Prostate cancer cases will DOUBLE in the next 15 years if we don’t take urgent action, expert warns
The second-biggest cancer in the UK affects 1 in 8, with older men, black men and those with a family history of the disease most at risk
ONE of the biggest risks facing the state of men’s health is prostate cancer.
Currently affecting 50,000 fathers, brothers and sons each year, the rates have increased 155 per cent since 1970 - and are set to double in the next 15 years unless urgent action is taken.
But what exactly is prostate cancer? And how can you best detect it?
“It's a malignant tumour arising from the prostate gland," explained Mr Amr Hawary, a consultant urologist at BMI Healthcare.
"It is usually diagnosed in patients aged above 50 and patients either do not have any symptoms or complain of urinary symptoms or back ache."
He specialises in men's health and agrees that change must happen if we're to stop the 11,000 annual deaths growing by 100 per cent.
"In most patients, suspicion about prostate cancer usually arises because of a blood test knows as PSA which has been done by a health care professional,” he added.
But, which men are most at risk of prostate cancer?
“There are a number of risk factors," Mr Hawary explained.
"The overall lifetime risk for developing prostate cancer is about one in eight, however, the risk increases with increasing age."
The overall lifetime risk for developing prostate cancer is about one in eight, however, the risk increases with increasing age
Mr Amr Hawary
A quick looks at the stats illustrates this - the disease is quite rare in men under 50, accounting for about 1 per cent of cases, but a third of UK cases are men over 75.
By old age, eight out of 10 men have prostate cancer cells in their prostate.
As with many cancers, family history and ethnicity also play a part - with older, black men being at a particularly elevated risk.
“A family history increases the risk of developing prostate cancer by anything from three to seven fold," Mr Hawary added.
“Ethnic background also affects the incidence, with Asian men having a low risk, white men having a medium risk and black men having the highest.”
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PROSTATE?
- As noted by NHS Direct, the prostate is a small gland in the pelvis found only in men.
- Its main function is to help in the production of semen. It produces a thick white fluid that is mixed with the sperm produced by the testicles.
- The urethra (a tube that carries urine and semen for the bladder to the penis) also runs through the prostate, meaning it's an integral part of the male reproductive system.
- The prostate never stops growing, which is normal. A 40 year-old's will be the size of a walnut, while a sixty year-old's will be lemon-sized.
So is prostate cancer preventable?
“Being overweight increases the risk, so eating a healthy diet can lower the probability of many cancers," Mr Hawary explained.
"There is some evidence that foods containing lycopene (tomatoes and tomato based foods) and selenium (a naturally occurring chemical found in vegetables, fish, shellfish, some meats, grains, eggs, Brewer's yeast, and wheat germ) probably reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
“Some, but not all, studies looking at physical activity and prostate cancer have found that men who are more physically active have a lower risk of getting it.”
Thankfully, for those who do get it, the available treatments are increasingly effective - especially with early detection.
Ethnic background also affects the incidence rate, with Asian men having a low risk, white men a medium risk and black men the highest
“Over the past decade, there has been a revolution in treatments for all stages of prostate cancer. Outcomes are improving all the time," Mr Hawary added.
“The treatments available depend on the stage and grade of the disease, patient age and general health.
“In terms of options, there's surgery (open, key-hole or robotically assisted), radiotherapy (external beam, brachytherapy, cyberknife) and hormone therapy.
"Chemotherapy may also have a role."
What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer?
According to , prostate cancer that’s contained inside the prostate doesn’t usually cause any symptoms, but some men might have some urinary problems.
These can be mild and happen over many years and may be a sign of a , rather than prostate cancer.
However, other symptoms include:
- Needing to urinate more often than usual, including at night – for example if you often need to go again after two hours
- difficulty starting to urinate
- straining or taking a long time to finish urinating
- a weak flow when you urinate
- a feeling that you’re not emptying your bladder fully
- needing to rush to the toilet – sometimes leaking before you get there
- dribbling urine after you finish.
Less common symptoms include:
- pain when urinating
- pain when ejaculating
- blood in your urine or semen
- problems getting or keeping an erection – this isn’t a common symptom of a prostate problem and is more often linked to other health conditions such as diabetes or heart problems.
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