Prostrate cancer’s top 6 signs you can check | UK | News

Former Prime Minister David Cameron has made an impassioned appeal for men to get checked for prostate cancer after boldly revealing he had been diagnosed with it last year.

Lord Cameron, 59, discovered he had prostate cancer after his wife Samantha persuaded him to have potentially life-saving blood tests. The decision came after the couple heard an eye-opening interview with Soho House founder Nick Jones about his own diagnosis struggle, The Sun reports.

The former Conservative Party leader, now cancer-free following treatment, is using his platform to raise awareness of this critical men’s health issue.

Prostate cancer is becoming the most common tumor in the UK

In a disturbing development, prostate cancer has become the most common type of tumor in the UK. Alarming NHS figures show 55,033 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, compared to 47,526 women diagnosed with breast cancer, now the second most common cancer.

This increase in prostate cancer diagnoses has occurred in the wake of the Covid pandemic and has highlighted the importance of regular check-ups and early detection.

Despite these worrying statistics, the NHS does not currently offer a comprehensive screening service for prostate cancer; Lord Cameron believes this policy must change to save lives.

Under the current system, men showing symptoms of prostate cancer will usually be asked to have a PSA blood test to check for the disease. However, this test is not routinely performed on asymptomatic men.

People aged 50 and over can request a PSA test from their doctor even if they have no symptoms, but many men may be unaware of this option or are hesitant to ask.

It is very important to catch prostate cancer early

Detecting prostate cancer in its early stages is absolutely vital because it greatly improves treatment outcomes and chances of survival. Therefore, it is important for men to be aware of potential warning signs and risk factors for the disease.

The likelihood of developing prostate cancer increases significantly at age 50 and beyond, putting middle-aged and older men especially at risk.

Surprisingly, black men face twice the risk compared to other demographic groups and are therefore advised to start getting checked starting at the relatively young age of 45.

Family history also plays an important role; The threat level doubles for men whose father or brother has previously battled prostate cancer.

Learn the key symptoms to look out for

As prostate cancer grows, it can begin to put pressure on the urethra, the tube through which urine passes. This pressure can cause a number of uncomfortable urinary symptoms that men should be aware of:

• Need to urinate more often, especially at night
• Feeling the need to go to the toilet in a hurry
• Difficulty starting to urinate
• weak flow
• Straining and taking a long time to pee
• Feeling like your bladder is not fully emptying

If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, known as advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, it can cause additional symptoms such as persistent back pain, bone pain that does not go away with rest, unexplained fatigue, and weight loss for no apparent reason.

Talk to your doctor about getting tested

Men who are concerned about their risk of prostate cancer or experiencing possible symptoms should not hesitate to discuss their concerns with their GP.

A PSA blood test, which measures the level of prostate-specific antigen, may be recommended. This test can help detect problems such as enlarged prostate, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

Although PSA tests are not routinely offered by the NHS to men without symptoms, all men aged 50 and over have the right to request this test from their doctor if they want to be checked.

If a doctor suspects that a patient may have prostate cancer based on their symptoms, they will likely recommend a PSA test as part of the diagnostic process.

Lifestyle factors may affect prostate cancer risk

Although the exact causes of prostate cancer remain a mystery, recent scientific research has uncovered evidence that obesity may increase the risk of developing the disease, while regular physical exercise appears to have a protective effect.

“There is strong evidence that being overweight increases the risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer,” says Prostate Cancer UK. “Staying active and eating healthy can help you maintain a healthy weight and improve your health in other ways, too.”

Although it is impossible to change some prostate cancer risk factors, such as age, ethnicity and family history, men have the power to take control of their lifestyle.

For those looking for support with healthy lifestyle changes, Prostate Cancer UK recommends speaking to your GP or practice nurse to find out about local services that may be helpful.

Check your BMI and waist size to assess health risks

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a commonly used measurement to determine whether an individual’s weight is within a healthy range. For the majority of adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. A BMI of 25 or higher indicates that a person is more likely to be overweight or obese, increasing the risk of various health problems.

The NHS provides a useful online tool that men can use to easily calculate their BMI and assess whether their weight is at a healthy level.

Prostate Cancer UK also recommends measuring your waist size as another way to check you’re at a healthy weight, explaining: “Carrying fat around your stomach can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health problems.”

Men can measure their waist by wrapping a tape measure around their stomach and positioning it between the top of the hips and the bottom of the ribs. For accuracy, be sure to exhale naturally when measuring.

The charity notes that a man is at higher risk of health problems if his waist is 37 inches (94 cm) or more. At 40 inches (102 cm) or above, the risk becomes very high and warrants talking to your doctor about making healthy changes.

Lord Cameron hopes that by raising awareness of prostate cancer risks, symptoms and testing options, more men will be empowered to take control of their health and detect any problems early, when treatment is most effective. The courage to speak publicly about one’s diagnosis will undoubtedly save lives.