Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK(Image: Getty Images)

Seven early warning signs of killer silent cancer - all men need to know

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among males in the UK but not everybody knows about the symptoms to look out for - here are seven early warning signs

by · The Mirror

Thousands of men across the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.

It is the most common cancer among males so it is vitally important for men to know the signs of prostate cancer and how to check for it.

According to Cancer Research UK, there are around 55,100 new prostate cancer cases in the UK every year, which is roughly 150 every day. Sadly, there are around 12,000 prostate cancer deaths in the UK every year, an average of 33 a day.

Older men are far more susceptible to getting prostate cancer. Between 2017-2098, 34 per cent of diagnosed cases were men aged 75 or over. Projections suggest there could be around 85,100 new cases of prostate cancer every year in the UK by 2038-2040. So what are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

One in eight men get prostate cancer in their lifetime( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs for many years. However, the NHS lists the following as possible 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 semen

Having these symptoms does not mean you have prostate cancer. They should not be ignored, though, and it's best to get checked by your local GP.

It's possible it could be something like prostate enlargement, something that can occur naturally as a person gets older. This is a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and is when the growing prostate gland can press on the urethra.

The chances of developing prostate cancer increase as you get older, with most cases developing in men 50 or older. Regular checks are important. Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are also more susceptible. According to the NHS, recent research also suggests that obesity increases the risk of prostate cancer.

It's important men know the symptoms of prostate cancer( Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Getting checked

With one in eight men getting prostate cancer in their lifetime, it's vitally important to check yourself regularly. If you think you might be at risk of prostate cancer or are experiencing any symptoms, visit your GP or speak to the specialist nurses at Prostate Cancer UK. This support is offered over the phone and online.

Men over the age of 50 can ask their GP to have a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test on the NHS, a blood test which measures the level of PSA and may help detect early prostate cancer. Other common tests include a physical examination of your prostate, known as a digital rectal examination (DRE). If you have a raised PSA level, you may be offered an MRI scan of the prostate to help doctors decide if you need further tests and treatment.

Of the DRE test, Prostate Cancer UK said: "The doctor or nurse will ask you to lie on your side on an examination table, with your knees brought up towards your chest. They will slide a finger gently into your back passage. They’ll wear gloves and put some gel on their finger to make it more comfortable.

"You may find the DRE slightly uncomfortable or embarrassing, but the test isn’t usually painful and it doesn’t take long. You can ask your GP if you would like to have someone there for support, for example, your partner, a friend or a chaperone."