MEN STILL UNSURE OF THE SIGNS OF PROSTATE CANCER

A Macmillan Cancer Relief survey has found men are unsure of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, despite the fact that three in five men (60%) are personally concerned about the disease, with more than half (57%) of those concerned over 55 years old.

Of the major symptoms for prostate cancer, only 30 per cent were aware that blood in the urine or semen can be a symptom of prostate cancer, and only 32 per cent were aware that having to rush to the toilet to pass urine could also be a symptom.

Encouragingly, 2 in 5 (40%) did know that passing urine more often and/or at night was a potential symptom, with more married men being aware of this (44%) than single men (26%). However, a quarter of the men (27%) surveyed knew none of the above symptoms could be linked to prostate cancer. (Survey sample size 1,000 men)

Peter Cardy, Chief Executive, Macmillan Cancer Relief, said, "Even though our survey shows that men are worried about prostate cancer, especially those over 55 who may be at greater risk, they are still not clear of the signs or know what to look for. Men need more information and support in this area. Also, many of the symptoms for prostate cancer could be indicative of other urinary problems so it's important that men are aware of their own health and visit their GP if they are concerned about any changes."

Prostate cancer is the commonest cancer in men in the UK with over 30,100 new cases a year. As men get older they may experience symptoms affecting urination which are similar to those of prostate cancer ? these can be very common and are not cancer. Symptoms of prostate cancer include:

-       having to rush to the toilet to pass urine

-       passing urine more often and/or at night

-       difficulty starting and then stopping passing urine

-       discomfort (pain or burning) whilst passing urine

-       blood in urine or semen

These symptoms may not be prostate cancer but men who notice them should visit their GP or for more information, please call the Macmillan CancerLine free on 0808 808 2020.

Notes

The survey was conducted on behalf of Macmillan Cancer Relief by RSGB Omnibus, a division of TNS. 842 men aged 16 + were interviewed face to face in c. 130 sampling points around Great Britain from  5-9 May 2004.

The survey looked at testicular cancer and prostate cancer.

(24/3/05)

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MP AND CELEBRITY BACK 'CALL TO ACTION' AS UK SURVEY FINDS OLDER MEN ARE 'EMBARRASSED' TO ADDRESS THEIR PROSTATE HEALTH

Evan Harris (MP) and Alan Hansen join medical experts in launching the 'Time to Go' campaign to raise awareness of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Wednesday 1 September 2004 : UK Experts have joined forces today at the Houses of Parliament to launch the 'Time To Go' campaign, which encourages and supports men in taking greater responsibility for their prostate health. The campaign aims to help men overcome the embarrassment, apathy and concern that commonly surround prostate conditions.

Alan Hansen, TV football pundit, joins the Men's Health Forum, Dr Evan Harris MP and a team of medical experts in this call to action launched in response to the findings of a large UK survey examining men's attitudes to health, The 'Time to Go' survey, the results of which are also launched today.

The 'Time to Go' survey, an online omnibus survey of men aged over 50 conducted between 14-19 April, to which over 2000 men responded, found that nearly a quarter of the respondents get up at least twice or more in the night to pass water and the overwhelming majority think this is 'normal'.  In reality, this could be a symptom of one of the most common conditions to affect older men: benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is estimated to affect around 2.5 million men in the UK .

BPH can greatly impact the quality of life of those suffering from the condition and may be associated with depression, anxiety, sexual dysfunction and difficulty in carrying out work or daily activities. It is estimated to affect one in three men aged over 50 and its incidence is set to double over the next 20 years. Despite the rising prevalence of BPH, the 'Time to Go' survey has revealed a number of worrying behavioural trends surrounding the condition:

Of the respondents:

90% of men said they would want to approach their GP first to seek information about bladder problems, however, nearly 70% felt embarrassment and health half felt fear are stopping men from actually seeking advice on bladder problems

Over 40% of men do not know where their prostate is located.

43% of men believe that a bladder-related condition would need to be corrected through surgery. This is really only necessary in a minority of cases.

"These survey findings are really quite alarming," commented Dr Brian Crichton, GP, West Midlands , "I feel GPs are currently only seeing and treating the tip of the iceberg of BPH.  There is evidently a great deal of embarrassment, apathy and unnecessary concern surrounding bladder problems, and this is ultimately preventing men from seeking advice from their GP.  It is so important that men take responsibility for their prostate health as this will enable us to tackle not only BPH, but other potentially more serious conditions including prostate cancer".

BPH is a condition that causes an enlargement of the prostate gland and can cause a number of symptoms that hinder the urinary flow from the bladder.  In some cases, acute urinary retention can occur which requires hospitalisation, there are between 25,000 to 50,000 cases of this in the UK each year.

The 'Time to Go' campaign sees the launch of the Prostate Health Checklist, a self-analysis tool to help men identify if they are experiencing symptoms of BPH and also to initiate discussion with their GP.  The Prostate Health Checklist, designed by the campaign board*, is a simple list of questions which will encourage men to assess their own prostate health and to overcome any awkwardness in discussing their symptoms with their doctor.  The Prostate Health Checklist can be obtained by calling the 'Time to Go' freephone number: 0808 141 0808.

"The 'Time to Go' campaign is addressing an often overlooked group who tend to be reluctant to acknowledge and address health problems," said Peter Baker, Director of the Men's Health Forum, "It isn't necessary for the millions of men who have BPH to suffer in silence and I hope this initiative will encourage them to take the simple steps towards getting treated".

Dr Evan Harris MP, hosted today's launch and believes campaigns such as these are very important to raise awareness of issues impacting the health of men.

"The findings of the 'Time to Go' survey has highlighted a worrying gap in men's understanding of a condition that affects a large number of them,' commented Dr Harris, "This lack of awareness can lead to wider and more serious health problems.  I am keenly supporting this campaign which I hope will spur men to take action if they identify with the symptoms of BPH, and encourage them to take a more proactive approach to health problems affecting them."

  (2/9/04)