Men are being urged to ask their dad four key questions which could help save their life. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men, with around 63,000 new cases diagnosed each year – that means it affects one in eight men.
There are currently about 510,000 men living with or after developing the cancer but sadly more than 10,000 men die as a result of the disease every year, according to Prostate Cancer UK. Now a cancer expert is urging families to speak to each other saying gentle reminders can be important in encouraging men to keep an eye on their health and speak to a GP when necessary.
Radiation oncologist Dr Jiri Kubes said: “We know talking about personal health issues can be difficult for many men, but it is so important. We also know men can sometimes put off seeing their doctor. Having open conversations and asking these questions can give a gentle nudge in the right direction if it’s needed.” He says four questions can help speed up diagnosis and get treatment more quickly.
Is there a history of prostate cancer in the family?
Prostate cancer is increasingly common and the risk is higher if your father or brother had it. According to Macmillan Cancer Support, risk also rises if two or more close relatives, such as a grandfather and uncle, on the same side of the family had prostate cancer.
Dr Kubes, medical director of the Proton Therapy Center in Prague, Czech Republic, said: “Knowing your risk is really important as often prostate cancer comes without any symptoms in the early stages. If you have a family history or are worried about prostate cancer then you can speak to your GP about a PSA test which can measure the level of prostate specific antigen in the blood. The test is not perfect but it can detect abnormalities which is important in early detection.”
Have you noticed any changes when you pee?
Prostate cancer often comes without symptoms, especially in the early stages, but it can lead to changes when you go to the toilet. Dr Kubes said: « If you’re finding you need to wee more frequently, or you’re getting up often during the night, you need to investigate the cause.
“You may also notice a hesitancy when you try to pee, or straining and taking a lot of time, as well as a weak flow. For some it feels like their bladder hasn’t been fully emptied. These symptoms do not mean you definitely have cancer, but they should be mentioned to a GP who can discuss your risk and assess whether you should have further tests.”
Have you noticed blood in your urine?
Blood in the urine, also called haematuria, can be a red flag for cancers of the prostate, bladder or kidneys and should never be ignored, according to the expert. Dr Kubes said: “If you notice blood in your urine even once, don’t wait for it to happen again. Once is enough to make an appointment with your GP. It could be nothing, but if it is something then a timely diagnosis can save your life.”
When was the last time you saw your GP?
According to a recent ONS Health Insight Survey, just 33.5% of men had attempted to make contact with their GP practice for themselves or someone else in their household in the last 28 days. This is compared to 45.8% of women.
Dr Kubes said: “We know that men are often more reluctant to talk about their health. Sometimes this can lead to people burying their head in the sand and ignoring little niggles until they become a serious problem. It’s really important to have open conversations around health and encourage people to get ‘that little problem’ checked out.”
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