Signs and symptoms
How to recognise the tell-tale signs
Prostate Cancer
Today 1 in 12 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, which is almost 32,000 every year, making it the most common cancer in men in the UK.
The increasing number of incidents is largely due to a higher number of cases being diagnosed (through the greater use of PSA tests) and the influence of an ageing population.
Prostate cancer differs from most other cancers in the body, because small areas of cancer within the prostate are very common and may stay dormant for many years. The majority of men with prostate cancer are aged over 60 years. Although this cancer can also occur in younger individuals, it is very rare under the age of 50.
About one-third of men over the age of 50 have some cancer cells within their prostate and nearly all men over the age of 80 have a small area of prostate cancer. Most of these cancers grow extremely slowly and so, particularly in elderly men, will never cause any problems. In a small proportion of men, however, the prostate cancer does grow quickly and in some cases spreads to other parts of the body.
Although Everyman scientists have made progress in prostate cancer research, little is known about the genes and molecular mechanisms which cause prostate cancer. We still do not fully understand what causes this disease, or how it develops - and we urgently need to improve on current treatments.
What to look for
One of the problems related to prostate cancer is that, in the early stages, it often causes no symptoms.
When symptoms do occur they may include:
- Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine
- Passing urine more often and/or at night
- Difficulty getting the flow of urine started
- Starting and stopping whilst passing urine
- Discomfort (pain or burning) whilst passing urine
- A feeling of not having emptied the bladder fully
- Dribbling of urine
- Blood in urine or semen
- Pain or stiffness in the back, hips or pelvis
The prostate enlarges as men get older, and most men have some symptoms affecting urination. These symptoms can be caused by other conditions that are less serious than prostate cancer, such as a non-cancerous enlarged prostate gland or a kidney infection – so it's important not to panic.
However, it's vital that you do go and see your doctor as soon as possible if you are suffering from any of these symptoms so that the cause can be diagnosed and any relevant treatment given.
Testicular Cancer
Testicular cancer is still quite rare, with about 2,000 cases a year in the UK - however the number of incidents has increased 4-fold in the last 50 years.
The reasons for the increase in cases of testicular cancer are not yet known. This cancer primarily affects younger men and is the most common form of cancer in men aged between 15 and 45.
Thanks to advances in treatment, testicular cancer has an overall cure rate of 95%
With the promotion of regular self examination helping to detect this cancer at an early stage, the cure rate can be as high as 99%.
Testicular cancer develops from within the cells in the testes. It usually presents itself as a lump in the testicle. If the cancer is not treated at an early stage, cancer cells can break away and spread to nearby lymph nodes or other organs.
What to look for
Check your testicles regularly for lumps or changes in size, shape or weight:
- A lump in either testicle
- A dull ache in the abdomen or groin
- Any enlargement of the testicle
- A sudden collection of fluid in the scrotum
- A feeling of heaviness in the scrotum
- Growth or tenderness of the upper chest
If a lump or change in the testicles is identified, then it's likely that your GP will arrange for a diagnostic test to determine whether the lump is benign or a possible cancerous tumour.
While most lumps are not cancerous it's very important to get yourself checked out by your GP to be sure.
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