More than 14,000 men in England are thought to be living with undiagnosed prostate cancer.
According to Prostate Cancer UK, 58,000 men have started treatment since the start of the pandemic. However, that is 14,000 fewer than expected based on pre-pandemic data.
We’re supporting the charity’s national campaign to help find the ‘missing men’ who need treatment for prostate cancer, but who have not yet come forward for a diagnosis.
Chris Wheal didn’t have any symptoms of prostate cancer when he was diagnosed in 2018.
Thankfully, 77-year-old Chris, who volunteers at Kent Oncology Centre in Maidstone, has overcome his battle with cancer and is encouraging men to seek advice from their GP.
The retired shopfitter, who lives in Grafty Green near Headcorn, said:
“I had a routine blood test at the surgery and came home one day to a voicemail message asking me to phone my GP to book an appointment that day.
“I thought this was a little concerning as they didn’t really ask you to come on the same day.
“I was told that I had a raised PSA and that I was going on a 14-day referral to the urology clinic.
“I knew that it could possibly be cancer. Any hint that cancer is around you – you obviously have a few worries.”
‘The sooner cancer is diagnosed, the better’
Chris was advised by his GP to get an annual PSA test due to his age and previous medical history.
After an MRI scan confirmed prostate cancer, Chris was referred for hormone and radiotherapy treatment at Maidstone Hospital.
“I knew the word cancer, but when it actually came down to it, I actually knew very little about what cancer was.
“The sooner cancer is diagnosed, the better. It keeps the door wide open for treatment options.
“I would advise anyone who is concerned to get checked out. Don’t just think that it’s probably nothing and it will just go away.”
Symptoms of prostate cancer
- Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night.
- Needing to rush to the toilet.
- Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy).
- Straining or taking a long time while peeing.
- Weak flow.
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully.
- Blood in urine or blood in semen.
Sanjeev Madaan, Consultant Urological Surgeon, Lead Cancer Clinician at Darent Valley Hospital and Chair of the Urology Tumour Group, said:
“Due to the pandemic, there are thousands of men across the country who haven’t started treatment for prostate cancer as they haven’t come forward for a diagnosis.
“Prostate cancer is not always life-threatening, but when it is, the earlier you catch it the more likely it is to be cured.
“Anyone who has concerns about prostate cancer or notices unusual symptoms should contact their GP to get checked.”
PSA test explained
The PSA test is a blood test to help detect prostate cancer by measuring the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in your blood.
PSA is a protein made only by the prostate gland. Some of it leaks into your blood, but how much depends on your age and the health of your prostate.
There isn’t currently a screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK; it has not been proved that the benefits would outweigh the risks.
Instead of a national screening programme, there is an informed choice programme, called prostate cancer risk management, for healthy men aged 50 or over who ask their GP about PSA testing. It aims to give men good information on the pros and cons of a PSA test.
If you're aged 50 or over and decide to have your PSA levels tested after talking to a GP, they can arrange for it to be carried out free on the NHS.
If results show you have a raised level of PSA, the GP may suggest further tests.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
One in eight men will get prostate cancer.
One in four black men will get prostate cancer.
Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have symptoms.
You have a higher risk of prostate cancer if you are of black ethnic origin, are overweight or obese, or have a family history of prostate cancer.
Check your prostate cancer risk in 30 seconds.
Find out more about the work of the Kent and Medway Cancer Alliance.