Oncologist warns men over 50 'don't wait for symptoms' as one cancer kills 33 every day

Oncologist warns men over 50 'don't wait for symptoms' as one cancer kills 33 every day A cancer specialist has shared what to watch for as catching disease early can help four out of five live 10 years or longer A hidden cancer that can usually be treated successfully if caught early is being missed by thousands because of a lack of symptoms. Despite four out of five people who develop prostate cancer surviving for 10 years or longer, it still kills 12,300 men in the UK every year. Now people are being urged to understand their risk of the cancer rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, as early-stage disease can develop without obvious warning signs. Around 68,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year, making it the most common cancer affecting men, yet many may be unaware they are at increased risk until the disease is detected. Latest Cancer Research UK figures show it is the second most common cause of cancer death nationally, killing 33 men every day. Each year around three-quarters (76%) of prostate cancer deaths in the UK are in people aged 75 and over. Recognising the factors that make prostate cancer more likely to develop can help men take a more proactive approach to their health and speak to a doctor about whether further investigation is appropriate. Dr Jiri Kubes, medical director at the Proton Therapy Centre in Prague said: "One of the biggest challenges with prostate cancer is that men can feel perfectly well while the disease is developing. Waiting until something feels wrong is not necessarily the best approach, particularly for men who already have recognised risk factors." Men most at risk Dr Kubes says there are three particularly important risk factors men should be aware of: age, ethnicity and family history. Prostate cancer becomes more common as men get older, with the risk rising significantly after the age of 50. Men of Black African or Black Caribbean heritage are at higher risk and are more likely to develop the disease at a younger age. Having a close relative, such as a father or brother, who has had prostate cancer can also increase your chances of developing it. A family history of certain other cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer, may also be relevant because of inherited genetic changes. Around one in eight men will develop the disease during their lifetime - a risk factor that increases to one in four for Black men, according to Prostate Cancer UK. “Knowing your family history is particularly important. If your father or brother has had prostate cancer, or there is a history of certain cancers in your family, it is worth discussing this with your doctor, even if you have no symptoms yourself,” Dr Kubes says. Symptoms to watch for According to the NHS Prostate cancer often has no symptoms at first. It explained: "Prostate cancer usually starts to grow on the outer part of the prostate. This means it does not press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis (urethra) and cause symptoms, until the cancer has grown or spread." If this happens, it can cause changes to the way you pee, such as: - finding it difficult to start peeing or straining to pee - having a weak flow of urine - "stop start" peeing - needing to pee urgently or often, or both - feeling like you still need to pee when you've just finished - peeing during the night Other symptoms can include: - erectile dysfunction (being unable to get or keep an erection) - blood in your urine or blood in your semen - lower back pain and losing weight without trying to (these may be symptoms of advanced prostate cancer) Dr Kubes added symptoms such as difficulty passing urine, a more frequent need to urinate or blood in the urine should always be investigated. However he warned these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, and their absence does not rule out prostate cancer. When to talk to a GP For men concerned about their risk, a conversation with a GP can help establish whether a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is appropriate. The test measures a protein produced by the prostate gland. An elevated result does not automatically mean cancer is present, but it may prompt further assessment, potentially including an MRI scan or biopsy. Ensure our latest health news always appears at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings Dr Kubes says: “The important thing is for men to be informed, rather than frightened. Understanding your personal risk and discussing the options with a medical professional gives you the opportunity to make decisions about your health based on evidence, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.” Awareness cannot prevent every case of prostate cancer, nor does having a risk factor mean a man will inevitably develop the disease. But understanding who is more vulnerable can help men make informed decisions about testing and ensure that concerns are addressed before symptoms become the trigger for seeking medical advice.