PROSTATE cancer may be the most common cancer in men, but it’s also the most survivable… if you catch it early.
The disease has been dubbed the “silent killer” as men with early stage prostate cancer often don’t experience symptoms – yet finding it at this stage is key to effective treatment. So don’t watch and wait for signs.
One in eight men get prostate cancer, and for black men their risk is double.
More than 52,000 men are diagnosed with the disease every year, and just over 10,000 are diagnosed at a late stage (stage 4).
That’s why checking your risk of prostate cancer is crucial: the quicker it is detected, the better the chance of successful – and less invasive – treatment.
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And to help, Prostate Cancer UK, the country’s leading men’s health charity, has devised an online risk checker that takes just 30 seconds so you can see if you might want a chat with your GP about a quick and simple blood test.
However, there’s also a major barrier stopping men from talking about prostate cancer and being tested.
Don’t worry about the ‘finger check’ – the best way to check for prostate cancer is a simple blood test
Prostate Cancer UK commissioned a survey of 1,302 men aged 50-70 to discover what’s putting them off prostate cancer checks.
Despite all the people sampled being at higher risk of having the disease, almost half of them – some 46 per cent – thought they would need a rectal exam to check for prostate cancer, and this was one of the biggest barriers to them taking action.
But don’t worry – the good news is that these days the best way to check for prostate cancer is a simple blood test.
That’s backed up by research published this year in the British Journal of General Practice by Prostate Cancer UK’s Clinical Advisory Group.
As one of Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses explains: “If you’re thinking about getting a prostate cancer test, one of the first things that comes to mind is probably a doctor putting their finger up your bum.
“We hear it everywhere, from TV shows to jokes with mates. We’re putting an end to that misconception.
“The best test for the disease is a blood test that you can get for free from your GP.
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“Thanks to advances like MRI scans being introduced, the way we diagnose and treat prostate cancer has never been as accurate, effective or safe as it is today.”
Prostate Cancer UK is calling for men at risk to check their chances of getting prostate cancer. It takes just 30 seconds, but it could be a lifesaver.
Don’t put off checking your risk, because an earlier diagnosis means extra time doing what you love
And to make sure the message is getting across loud and clear, the charity has created two TV adverts, which are being broadcast across ITV, Sky Sports, Channel 5 and more.
They will also be shown in the run-up to Father’s Day, during some of the opening Euro 2024 matches – including the Scotland v Germany game on Friday night.
The commercials feature famous voices – comedian Hugh Dennis, and actors Ralph Ineson and Bafta-winning Jasmine Jobson.
They show a baby granddaughter and a talking barbecue from the future who tell men about all the great things to enjoy in a world where prostate cancer is found earlier.
So, don’t put off checking your risk, because an earlier diagnosis means extra time doing what you love, with the people you love – from watching the kids grow up to travelling the world or even seeing your team top of the league!
CHECK IN 30 SEC
Currently, there’s no screening programme for prostate cancer like there is for other cancers.
The good news is that you can quickly and simply find out your risk, and learn what you can choose to do about it, using Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker.
More than 2.5 million men have already done it – you can join them in just 30 seconds right now by going to prostatecanceruk.org/risk-checker.
Remember, if you’re 50 and over, a black man aged 45 and over, or you have a family history of prostate cancer, you’re at higher risk of getting the disease.
So, isn’t it about time you checked your risk?
The earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat. And a simple free blood test from your GP is the best way to do it. So why not take Prostate Cancer UK’s 30-second risk checker?
Should you be diagnosed with the disease, contact Prostate Cancer UK’s specialist nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or via email, webchat or WhatsApp at prostatecanceruk.org/nurses
Prostate Cancer UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1005541) and in Scotland (SC039332). Registered company number 02653887.