Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among British men, and more than 1.3 million men around the world are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.
You may have noticed men’s upper lips getting a bit fuzzier than usual recently, as it’s Movember - a global effort to raise awareness of men’s health issues, in particular prostate cancer.
One of the key objectives of Movember is to help more men spot the signs, symptoms and risk factors for this terrible disease.
Many of the cases our Medical Negligence Solicitors handle involve late diagnosis of cancer, so we’re acutely aware of how important early diagnosis is. Both patients and medical professionals should be able to recognise the symptoms, as any delay in diagnosis can have devastating consequences.
For example, a patient may suffer more serious side-effects from treatment, much lower chances of recovery and have to undergo more invasive treatment, so it’s best to see a doctor, and get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.
To find out more and what you can do to get involved, visit Movember.
We're rated‘Excellent’What are Common Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?
Warning signs of prostate cancer can include:
- Urinating more frequently
- Straining to empty your bladder
- Blood in your urine
- Pain during urination
- Needing to urinate more often at night
- Erectile dysfunction
Many of these symptoms can be linked with other conditions, so don’t necessarily mean it’s prostate cancer. But anyone with concerns should see their doctor as soon as possible.
What Should My Doctor Do if I Report These Symptoms?
Your doctor can carry out a number of tests to determine whether or not you have prostate cancer. These may include:
- A physical examination of your prostate
- Blood tests
- A biopsy
- An MRI scan
It’s crucial that your doctor refers you for the right tests and correctly interprets the results of scans and tests that have been carried out.
Who is Most at Risk?
According to NHS data, most prostate cancer cases develop in men aged 50 and above, with the risk of developing the condition increasing with age.
There’s also evidence of a familial link, as men who have a brother or father affected by prostate cancer have been found to be at a higher risk. Ethnicity could be a factor too, as NHS figures show prostate cancer is more common in men of African or African-Caribbean descent, and less common in men of Asian heritage.
Sean McCann, one of our Medical Negligence Solicitors, commented: “If you develop symptoms that are indicative of an enlarged prostate or your symptoms change over a period of time, then you really should contact your GP right away.
“The sooner prostate cancer is diagnosed, the better the prognosis, so it is vital that you have an open discussion with your GP as soon as possible.”
Get in touch, today!
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