There are more than 200 types of cancer diagnosable in people, with one in two Scots likely to develop a form of the disease in their lifetime.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer to be in men across the UK, with more than 52,000 diagnosed each year on average. This form of cancer is hard to detect, with most warning signs not developing until the cancer has reached a formidable stage.
Symptoms of prostate cancer do not usually appear until the prostate is large enough to press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis.
The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis and is part of the male reproductive system. Around the size of a walnut, the prostate is located between the penis and the bladder, surrounding the urethra.
The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown - but certain things can increase your risk of developing the disease.
Despite the cancer often being difficult to diagnose, there are some warning signs to look out for, especially when using the bathroom.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
According to the NHS website, symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while peeing
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- blood in urine or blood in semen
However, these signs aren't a definitive reasoning that you have prostate cancer. Some men can develop urinary problems in older age, and may be a sign of a benign prostate problem - rather than cancer.
Prostate Cancer UK urges people to visit their local GP to ask for more advice if they have any concerns.
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