Help Us Fight Prostate Cancer
Information about COVID-19 & Prostate Cancer
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people with prostate cancer are understandably worried about how the coronavirus might affect them. The most important thing is to follow the advice of your healthcare team. Please follow GOV.UK and the NHS website for the latest information about coronavirus, including ways to reduce your risk of catching or spreading the virus.
What You Should Know About Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer has become the biggest cancer killer of men in the UK. It kills one man every hour
Each year nearly 47,000 men in the UK are told they have prostate cancer and more than 11,000 die of the disease
Worldwide numbers are staggering. Each year over a million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and more than 300,000 die from it
Cancer of the prostate can be treated effectively even if it has spread beyond the gland but the disease must be caught early to achieve excellent cure rates
Every man over 50 has the legal right, by Act of Parliament, to a PSA test
What You Should Know About Your Risks
There are some things that may mean men are more likely to get prostate cancer – these are called risk factors. There are three main risk factors :
Age – it mainly affects men aged 50 or over, and the risk increases as you get older. It is vital that men over 50 are aware of the potential problem and consult their GP routinely
Family history – Men are two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer with a family history (father or brother) of the disease, compared to a man who has no relatives with prostate cancer.
Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men. No-one knows why exactly, but it might be linked to genes. In the UK, about 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime. If you’re a black and you’re over 45, speak to your GP about your risk of prostate cancer, even if you don’t have any symptoms.
Symptoms Requiring Action
Prostate cancer is diagnosed by using the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, biopsies and physical examinations. There can be few symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages, and because of its location most symptoms are linked to urination. However, such symptoms are often associated with non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and urinary infection. Men with prostate cancer can also live for decades without symptoms or needing treatment because the disease often progresses very slowly.
Frequent need to pass urine, particularly at night
Delay before urinating and/or interrupted flow
Needing to run to the toilet
Feeling your bladder has not emptied fully
Pain in passing urine or when ejaculating
Blood in semen or urine
Difficulty in getting or keeping an erection
Nagging pain in the lower back or hip area
“In any theatre of war, it is vital to understand your enemy – their strengths, their weaknesses and their behaviour. The same disciplines are needed to effectively fight cancer. I urge you to support the Prostate Project’s battle with this insidious disease that claims so many men’s lives.”
“Being able to talk to men with prostate cancer who had taken the decisions I was faced with, was a huge benefit for me and my family.”
“My partner gets a great boost from being with other “sufferers” and being able to chat to them and swapping experiences gives him confidence. You’re doing a marvellous job and we’re so thankful to be part of your group.”
“The Prostate Project has done a huge amount to improve the care of men with prostate cancer and I thank them for their continuing efforts.”
“My involvement with the PP Support Group enables me to keep up to date and ensure I give others the correct advice. There is help in abundance for prostate cancer patients – don’t die of ignorance.”
Latest News
Our news show us that every small victory is important in the war against prostate cancer. Head over to our news section to learn more about our latest victories and future projects.
PP Newsletter – December 2021
Read all our latest news and updates in our newsletter. Click here to read: Autumn Newsletter
Introducing Our Newest Patron
It is with great pleasure that we introduce to you, our most recent patron, Mr Les Spaine. We visited Les with a view to featuring his story in a newsletter or one of our monthly
Get the Message
Watch our animation demystifying some myths about testing for prostate cancer and encouraging every man over the age of 50 to visit their GP and ask for a PSA blood test: https://youtu.be/5PY6W77AEaU One