Men's Health Week is among us, and gentlemen all across the United Kingdom are being encouraged to reflect on their personal health and wellbeing, while keeping an eye out for any changes which could be important. It's also crucial however, to be aware of 'silent' health concerns which may have no obvious symptoms at first - like prostate cancer.
The disease affects one in eight men in their lifetime, and kills 12,000 men across the UK each and ever year. However, the symptoms of it only usually present themselves when the cancer has grown to such a size as to put pressure on the urethra.
Symptoms can include the need to urinate in a more frequent manner, rushing to the toilet, difficulty when beginning urinating, a weak flow, feeling like a bladder isn't fully empty, and straining. Some people may also see blood in their urine or semen.
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The Mirror reports that black men are also twice as likely to be diagnosed with the disease, with one in four men suffering prostate cancer in their lifetime. However, a recent poll of 500 black men across the UK found that nearly eight in ten don't believe that their ethnicity influences their risk.
Having a family history of prostate cancer also furthers a person's risk, but 53 per cent of black men admitted that they were unaware of the hereditary link. Age is also a crucial factor for men - with 56 per cent being completely unaware that they become 'high risk' at the age of 45.
The research, which was conducted by Prostate Cancer UK via OnePoll, also uncovered that 52 per cent said that they didn't wish to bother a GP unless they were in pain, while 64 per cent also were concerned about getting tested and receiving a rectal exam - despite a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test being the first step to trace signs of the disease.
It's vital that men speak to their GP and get tested frequently, as if caught early, prostate cancer can be incredibly treatable. However, only 36 per cent of black men are aware that early-stage prostate cancer can be a 'silent killer', often showing no signs or symptoms at all.
Furthermore, two thirds thought that they would be invited for a test by their GP - which is not true due to no screening programme for prostate cancer across the UK. The figures fall as part of Prostate Cancer UK's 'What on Earth is a prostate?' campaign, which aims to dispel widespread misconceptions about the most common cancer in men.
Chiara De Biase, a spokesperson for the charity, said: "Black men are at double the risk of prostate cancer compared to other men and develop it at a younger age, and the concern is that misconceptions around prostate cancer symptoms and tests could stop men getting a potentially lifesaving diagnosis. Without a screening programme, men won't be invited for testing even when they're at high risk.
"That's why we strongly recommend that black men talk to their GP about a regular PSA blood test from the age of 45."
Chase added that the charity is encouraging men to take their prostate cancer risk assessment quiz online this Men's Health Week, and beyond. The test only consists of three quick questions which take less than 30 seconds to complete.
The first question asks age, as people over 45 are a higher risk to prostate cancer. Secondly, users are asked if their father or brother has had prostate cancer, due to the hereditary risk of the disease.
Thirdly, users are asked of their ethnicity, as black men are more at risk of prostate cancer. While these questions would be a good indicator as to whether or not your main risk factors are high, they aren't the be all and end all, as you can still develop prostate cancer without these.
The website warns: "If you notice changes in how you wee, or if it becomes painful, it's important to get it checked by your GP."
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