Prostate Cancer Conversations

Prostate Cancer Conversations

March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and we’re taking the opportunity to encourage Prostate Cancer Conversations.

Whether you don’t yet know your individual risk of prostate cancer, you want to open up about the impact prostate cancer is having on your life, or talk about the impact of life after prostate cancer treatment. Prostate Cancer Conversations are so important.

Why is it important to talk about prostate cancer?

1 in 8 males will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. This increases to 1 in 4 for black males.

We know that talking about health issues can feel daunting and men sometimes may not want to open up.

We also know that men will die on average 4.5 years earlier than women and for reasons that are largely preventable. (See Movember’s website for more details).

There are many aspects of prostate cancer that mean men may be less likely to open up. From not wanting to speak to family about family history to symptoms that some males may find embarrassing.

What are we calling for?

We want all men to feel empowered to learn more about prostate cancer and take control of their health.

• Understand your individual risk of prostate cancer. Symptoms of prostate cancer are not always apparent in the early stages so in order to be diagnosed quickly, it’s important to know your risk. That way you can take control and begin to discuss your individual risk with your healthcare professional.
• Recognise possible symptoms. Men need to know that prostate cancer often presents without any symptoms. But as the cancer progresses, symptoms can appear. It’s important to understand these symptoms and speak to a healthcare professional if you notice any symptoms or changes.
• Open up about how its affecting you. Every year, more than 52,000 people are diagnosed with prostate cancer. We know that every time someone is diagnosed with prostate cancer, their whole family is affected. From partners and children, to parents, siblings and the wider family and friends network; a prostate cancer diagnosis can impact many people. When this happens, we know how important it is to open up about the impact and seek support from your network.
• Talk to your healthcare professional about life after prostate cancer treatment. Prostate cancer can have a profound impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of the people who experience it. The effects of prostate cancer treatment can bring unexpected issues. Urology health may not go back to normal immediately and new challenges can arise. These challenges can impact mental health, relationships, sex life and confidence. When this happens, males don’t need to cope on their own. Your healthcare professionals are there to help and it’s important that you talk to them about any new issues your facing so that you can be supported to find possible solutions.

Know your risk

Knowing your risk is crucial. While we don’t know the cause, there are ‘risk factors’ which may mean people are more likely to get it.  These include:

• getting older – prostate cancer mainly affects men aged 50 or over
• having a family history of prostate cancer – father, brother, uncle or grandfather
• being Black or mixed Black ethnicity
• a family history of breast or ovarian cancer – if you have a relative who experienced breast cancer or ovarian cancer with a known BRCA gene variant, your risk of prostate cancer may be higher

Indeed, males are two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer if their father or brother has had it, compared to those who have no relatives with prostate cancer. This risk may be even greater if a male’s father or brother was under 60 when diagnosed with prostate cancer, or if they have more than one close relative (father or brother) with prostate cancer. Understanding your family history of the disease is therefore crucial.

Download our handy guide to learning your individual risk:

Printable version: HERE

Digital version: HERE

Recognise possible symptoms

Symptoms of prostate cancer are not always apparent in the early stages, but as the cancer progresses, symptoms can include:

• Difficulty urinating – starting or maintaining
• Urine leakage
• Pain when urinating
• Needing to urinate often
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction
• Pain in the hips, back, or chest

If you notice any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your GP.

Get involved

Why not raise awareness this Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and start opening up Prostate Cancer Conversations with your friends and family?

Use #ProstateCancerConversations on social media.

Follow our social media channels and like and share our posts this Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.