1 in 6 men will get it, but most can’t name the 9 warning signs – Urologist reveals symptoms men mistake for ‘just getting older’

January is a time when many men make resolutions to take better care of themselves, often by changing their diet, hitting the gym more frequently or drinking less alcohol.

However, one prevalent but often overlooked male health concern is prostate cancer, a disease that affects 1 in 6 men during their lifetime, according to Cancer Research UK.

It is not only the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men, but figures from NHS England show it was also the most diagnosed cancer in 2023, with 58,137 new cases.

“Prostate cancer can be difficult to detect in its early stages, as men often don’t experience any symptoms,” says Mr Luke Stroman, a Consultant Urological Surgeon at The Forbury Clinic in Reading.

“Most prostate cancers begin on the outer part of the prostate gland, and it is not until they grow and put pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis, that men start to notice symptoms. Many of the warning signs include changes to the way men urinate.”

With this in mind, Mr Stroman shares nine common symptoms of prostate cancer that men should look out for this January:

Nine common symptoms of prostate cancer:

Finding it difficult to start urinating or straining to urinate
Having a weak flow of urine
“Stop start” urinating
Needing to urinate urgently or often, or both
Feeling like you still need to urinate when you’ve just finished
Needing to urinate during the night
Erectile dysfunction (being unable to get or keep an erection)
Blood in your urine or semen
Lower back pain and losing weight without trying to (these may be symptoms of advanced prostate cancer)

Which age group is most at risk for prostate cancer?

While prostate cancer can affect men of any age, it is more common among those over 50.

According to the most recent data from NHS England, the rate of prostate cancer diagnoses was highest among men aged between 75-79, at a rate of 998.2 incidents per 100,000 in this age category.

Prostate cancer vs benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

Diagnosing prostate cancer is made more difficult by the fact that it shares similar symptoms with another non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

“As men age, their prostate gland enlarges, which can cause it to press on the urethra and bladder, resulting in similar urinary symptoms. This condition is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH),” says Mr Stroman.

“While it’s not fully understood what causes the prostate to grow as men age, one theory is that an increase in the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) stimulates the growth of prostate cells,” he adds.

Even though the symptoms can seem worrying, it’s important to note that BPH is not cancer, and its symptoms can be managed, sometimes without medication.

“If you notice any symptoms, don’t ignore them,” adds Mr Stroman. “Speak to your GP about it, as early detection can make a huge difference.”

Reference: https://theforburyclinic.co.uk