Every November, men across the world ditch their razors in support of a very special cause. Known as Movember, participants grow a moustache to raise awareness for important men’s health issues including prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issues.
What started as a casual challenge between two friends has grown into a hugely successful global movement. Movember calls for men to take their health seriously, break down stigmas and foster open conversations about topics that are often overlooked or avoided.
The Mo-movement has already raised nearly £600 million and funded over 1,250 initiatives, but it’s just getting started. By 2030, Movember has committed to reducing the number of men dying prematurely by 25% and halving the number of deaths from prostate and testicular cancer.
As specialists in a number of men’s health issues, our expert Consultant Urologist, Mr Keval Patel has put the spotlight on the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the UK, prostate cancer.
Below he discusses everything from symptoms and risk factors to treatment options.
What are common symptoms of prostate cancer?
Most men don’t have symptoms and are unaware of the diagnosis until a high PSA blood test shows cancer.
If symptoms are present however, you may need to urinate more frequently, get up in the night to go to the toilet or you may notice blood in the urine or sperm. If the cancer is advanced, you may also experience bone pain, swelling in the legs and unexplained changes to weight.
What are the risk factors for prostate cancer?
The main risk factor is unfortunately something we can’t change – genetics. If your dad or brother has had prostate cancer or your mum or sister has had breast cancer, you’re at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.
Race also plays a role – black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer while Asian men are the lowest risk category.
What can men do to reduce the risk of prostate cancer?
Lifestyle factors are of course important too. Regular exercise, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight can all help to reduce the risk of developing any cancer. Eating raw vegetables and limiting meat intake has also been shown to help reduce risk. Studies show that cruciferous vegetables [a family of vegetables that includes broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, kale, and turnips] and a compound in cooked tomatoes can be particularly beneficial when it comes to reducing the risk of prostate cancer.
How do you test for prostate cancer?
A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures the amount of PSA in your blood and can help detect prostate problems, including cancer. If further investigation is required, we can perform an MRI which is an accurate and non-invasive way to diagnose prostate cancer.
If any abnormal areas are seen in the MRI scan, a modern prostate biopsy can help to confirm a diagnosis. Advancements in medical technology means that nothing has to go through the rectum and the risk of feeling unwell after a screening is less than 1%.
What age should I start getting prostate tests and how often should they be carried out?
If you’re aged 45+ and have a risk factor, you should have a prostate test every year. Men aged 50+ should be tested every year, regardless of risk factor.
Why is early detection and treatment so important?
Quite simply, because it saves lives. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among men in the UK, and rates are rising. If caught early however, it’s highly treatable and has a near 100% survival rate.
Please don’t delay seeing a doctor if you’re experiencing symptoms and don’t skip your annual checks. As I mentioned earlier, most men don’t have symptoms so these tests are crucial for early diagnosis.
What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?
Treatment will depend on how advanced the cancer is. Early-stage prostate cancer in low-risk patients may simply be monitored through regular PSA tests, MRI scans and biopsies.
If the cancer is more advanced, surgery or radiotherapy are highly effective treatment options. When treating prostate cancer, we perform robotic surgery. This is a minimally invasive procedure with fewer complications, less pain and blood loss and quicker recovery times.
How can Birmingham Urology Centre help with men’s health issues?
With an in-house team of consultants, we’re proud to offer expert diagnosis, cutting-edge treatments and comprehensive support for all prostate-related and other men’s health conditions.
Our consultants are experts in their field and their collective wisdom has been gathered from many years working in both the NHS and private practice.
Critically, choosing Birmingham Urology Centre reduces wait times for diagnosis and treatment. Tests can be carried out promptly after your consultation and if treatment is required, this can also be done immediately. What’s more, our state-of-the art treatments reduce recovery time and lead to better outcomes.
Together we can help to change the future of men’s health. Contact Birmingham Urology Centre today to schedule a consultation and take the first step towards safeguarding your health. You can also find out more about our expert Consultant Urological Surgeon, Mr Keval Patel.
