MEN are being urged to know the symptoms and get tested for prostate cancer.
It comes following a large decline in the number of men going to see their GP with the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer since the beginning of the pandemic.
According to Prostate Cancer UK, referrals have fallen by more than 52,000 in England since March 2020.
Dr Anant Sachdev, primary care lead for Thames Valley Cancer Alliance, said that the alliance would normally see more patients than it has so far this year with signs and symptoms warranting a referral for further investigation of suspected prostate cancer.
“This is not a sign that the cancer has gone away, but more likely that men are not going to see their GP as a result of the pandemic,” Dr Sachdev said.
“It may also be that they may not have recognised the symptoms.”
At risk groups
Prostate cancer can affect men of any age, but there are certain groups at an increased risk:
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Men aged 50 or older
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Men of African-Caribbean or African descent
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Men who have a family history of prostate cancer
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Men who are overweight
In the UK, one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. The ratio increases to one in four men of Afro-Caribbean or African descent. There is also an increased risk for men who have a direct family history of breast cancer through their mother or sister.
Symptoms
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly and often symptoms do not appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the urethra. The most common symptoms of include, but are not limited to:
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Needing to urinate more frequently, especially during the night
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Needing to rush to toilet
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Difficulty in starting or stopping urination
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Straining or taking a long time while urinating
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Weak flow
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Feeling your bladder has not emptied fully
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Blood in urine or blood in semen.
Some of the above symptoms may be thought of as normal aspects of growing older. However, it is vital that people do not ignore them.
Men with concerns should contact their GP as soon as possible.
Cllr Charles Margetts, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services at Wokingham Borough Council, said that finding the disease early makes it much easier to treat.
“Men may feel uneasy or embarrassed about this, but there is nothing more important than your health.
“The decline in referrals for all types of cancer since the covid outbreak is worrying.
“Don’t ignore any symptoms you may be having and encourage your loved ones to see their GP should they be concerned.”
Prostate Cancer UK has a 30-second online risk-checker to allow men to find out more about their risk and what they can do about it.
For more information visit: NHS, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cancer Research UK
