What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, and it is estimated that by 2030, it will be the most common cancer overall. 1 in 8 white men and 1 in 4 Black Caribbean and Black African men have a lifetime chance of developing prostate cancer. More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that’s 143 men every day. Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer – that is more than 11,500 men every year.

Prostate cancer can develop when cells in the prostate gland start to grow in an abnormal way. It often develops slowly and many men will never experience any adverse effects and never need treatment.

However, sometimes prostate cancer can develop rapidly. This is where the cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrollable way and are more likely to spread. When this occurs, treatment is often needed with the aim of preventing or halting the spread.

Symptoms

If the prostate cancer grows near your urethra (the tube you pee through) and presses against it then this can change the way you pee. It’s a bit like stepping on a hosepipe in the garden! However, if the cancer is in the outer part of the prostate, then urinary symptoms are much less likely to occur.

If you notice any of the following changes, we recommend you seek medical advice:

• needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
• a weak flow when you urinate.
• difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder.
• dribbling urine after you finish urinating.
• a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly.
• a sudden need to urinate (This is sometimes referred to as ‘urgency’) – you may also sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.
• blood in your urine or semen.

Urinary symptoms may be caused by problems that in the majority of cases are much less serious than cancer. However, it is important always to check with your GP. A number of factors determine a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Why not check your own risk on the Prostate Cancer UK website. The check takes only 30 seconds!