Men are urged to learn more about prostate cancer

Mar 4 2010 by Debbie Hall, West Lothian Courier

MARCH is Prostate Cancer Awareness month and men throughout the county are being encouraged to learn more about the disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK and nearly 35,000 are diagnosed with the disease each year.

Around 10,000 men die from prostate cancer every year in the UK – working out at over one man every hour.

Campaigners fighting to raise awareness of the disease say the increasing incidence is largely due to a higher number of cases being diagnosed, through the greater use of PSA blood tests, and the influence of an ageing population.

Men are two-and-a-half times more likely to get prostate cancer if a grandfather, father or brother has been diagnosed and those with a family history of the condition should consider further advice.

Charlie Hogg, who runs the Prostate Cancer Support Scotland – West Lothian Group, said: “Although there is no national screening programme for prostate cancer, it is important that men of all ages are aware of their prostate, its function and that things can go wrong with it.

“Prostate cancer does not only affect men, it also impacts on family and friends.

“The risk of getting prostate cancer does increase, as men get older, most men are diagnosed over the age of 50, but it can be found in men from age 40 onwards.

“The Prostate Cancer Awareness Programme run by the West Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group will campaign in March to highlight the message about the disease and raise awareness to as many people as possible, so that we can all help our grandfathers, fathers, uncles, brothers, sons, husbands and partners to know more about it.”

It is recognised that prostate cancer is a curable disease made incurable by late diagnosis.

What is important for men and their families is that diagnosis and treatment is tackled early to ensure the likelihood of a longer life.

Typical symptoms include a reduction in flow or more frequent visits to the toilet, difficulty in starting or straining to pass urine and a persistent pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, thighs, ribs or lower back.

Anyone worried about any of these symptoms should make an appointment to see their GP who will give advice on what course of action to take and may also conduct a PSA blood test.

The Prostate Cancer Support Scotland – West Lothian Group Support Groups are next meeting at the Macmillan Centre, St John’s Hospital, Livingston on March 24 at 7pm.

For information Contact Charlie Hogg 01506 845981 or e-mail him at charliehogg@blueyonder.co.uk.