THOUSANDS of men are at risk of prostate cancer because they’re unaware it often has no symptoms, a charity warns.
Two thirds of men wrongly believe they’ll see signs of the disease in its early stages, a survey by Prostate Cancer UK found.
It is the most common cancer in men and affects 52,000 Brits every year.
Chiara De Biase, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: “What’s really worrying is that this misinformation could stop a man from getting the early diagnosis that could save his life.
“Men’s health can be a minefield. Everyone has gaps in their knowledge and every one of us probably believes something that just isn’t true.
Urgent warning over 'silent killer' cancer that can first appear as back pain
“Prostate cancer doesn’t usually have any symptoms at all until it’s already spread and become incurable.”
Men can check if they’re vulnerable with the charity’s 30-second online risk checker at prostatecanceruk.org/riskcheck.
The charity polled around 2,000 men across the UK.
Nearly half did not know where the prostate is and three quarters do not know what it does.
Some 53 per cent said they thought they would be invited for testing by their doctor once they reach an age when they’re more at risk.
However, there is no national screening programme for the disease.
Ms De Biase said: “Far too few men know the main factors that put them at risk.
“That’s why we’re asking every man to take our 30-second online risk checker, to help understand their risk, and what they can do about it.”
Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50 and the risk increases with age.
One in eight men will be diagnosed with it at some point in their lifetimes.
Pele's body arrives at football stadium for fans to say final farewell
The risk is higher for black men — one in 4 — or men with a family history of prostate cancer, so they should speak to their GP from age 45.
