Did you know prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males with 119 men diagnosed every day in the United Kingdom? March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month aiming to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms to look out for.
Prostate Cancer UK have already teamed up with The Football League to help promote the disease and the Men United v Prostate Cancer campaign is all about galvanising the football family and inspiring a movement for change in men’s health to win the battle against prostate cancer.
Here at the Trust, our MacMillan Cancer support team are helping to raise awareness of prostate cancer in Birmingham. Nula Allen, urology clinical nurse specialist at Good Hope Hospital, said: “Each year approximately 795 men in Birmingham are diagnosed with prostate cancer and three quarters of those will be aged over 65. Being aware of the signs and symptoms is vital, especially if you are in that age category.
“We want to encourage men across Birmingham to talk to their GP if they have any concerns. Men are often put off by going to the doctor because they don’t want to make a fuss or don’t want to take time off work. The key to the best outcome is early diagnosis and treatment so I would urge anyone exhibiting symptoms of cancer to go and get checked by their doctor.
“The most common symptoms of prostate cancer include having to rush to the toilet to pass urine, difficulty in passing urine and passing urine more often than usual, especially at night. These symptoms are also common when men have an enlarged prostate, which can occur as men get older and can be nothing to do with prostate cancer.
“If you are experiencing any of these symptoms then it’s worth discussing this with your GP. If there are any concerns, your GP can arrange appropriate tests as necessary. If there are no concerns then your GP may be able to suggest treatments that may help your urinary symptoms, so it’s worth the visit.
“It’s worth acknowledging that for some men there are no symptoms at all. For some the first noticeable symptoms are pain in the back, hips or pelvis. These symptoms could be caused by other problems such as general aches and pains or arthritis, but it is still a good idea to get them checked out by a GP.”
Cancer is the toughest fight many people will ever face, and the feelings of isolation and loneliness that so many people experience make it even harder. You don’t have to go through it alone. If you have any worries or questions about prostate cancer, visit www.macmillan.org.uk or call our Macmillan Cancer Support team on 0121 424 9486.
