Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (March)

Posted on March 8th, 2018

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland located between the penis and bladder. The gland naturally grows bigger with age, however 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime.  You are more at risk if you are over 50 years old, or have a family history of this cancer. Prostate cancer is difficult to detect as not all men experience symptoms, although some do have urinary problems.

Symptoms

• Difficulty initiating/maintaining urination
• Weak flow when urinating
• Feeling that your bladder is not completely empty
• Dribbling urine 
• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• Sudden urge to urinate, leaking before you are able to get to the toilet

If prostate cancer spreads it can cause other symptoms such as; back, hip or pelvic pain, erectile problems, blood in your urine or semen, or unexplained weight loss.

Statistics 

• There are approximately 40,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the UK each year, that’s equivalent to 109 men each day.
• Prostate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the UK.
• More than 11,000 men each year are diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is one man every 45minutes.
• There are approximately 330,000 men currently living with, and after prostate cancer in the UK.

Sources:

http://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/prostate-cancer

https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-symptoms

https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/picture-of-the-prostate#1