Prostate cancer is now the most common type of cancer diagnosed in England, according to new figures.
Recent data shows that, for the past two years, prostate cancer surpassed breast cancer as the most diagnosed form of the disease.
According to national charity Prostate Cancer UK, these new figures show that more men are aware of the disease and are going to their GPs for early testing.
Treatment success for cancer depends on the disease being caught early. Unlike other cancers, however, prostate cancer often won’t show symptoms in these crucial early stages. This can make it difficult to diagnose.
When symptoms do appear, it’s because the prostate is large enough to affect the urethra. This causes symptoms such as an increased need to wee and a feeling that your bladder hasn’t fully emptied.
Thankfully, there’s a simple blood test that GPs can use to see if someone might have prostate cancer before symptoms have developed. The test, called a PSA test, is a form of blood test which measures levels of a hormone called prostate specific antigen.
A high PSA can sometimes be a warning sign of prostate cancer, which allows doctors to catch the illness early – although it’s important to note that someone can have a high PSA for many harmless reasons, too.
Routine PSA testing is not currently offered on the NHS. If you’re aged over 50, you can ask your GP for a PSA test even if you don’t have any symptoms of prostate cancer. There’s also several risk factors which mean you should get tested at a younger age, which you can read about here.
To find out more about the PSA test, head to the PSA testing guide on our website
If you or someone you know is affected by prostate, testicular or penile cancer, our free patient and family support groups across Devon and Cornwall offer a space to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
