We look at one male cancer which touches the lives of at least one in eight men in the UK, Prostate cancer.
With the help of Dr Gordon Muir, the Consultant Urological Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, we dispell some untruths and discovers some facts about cancer which affects nearly 1 in eight men in the UK.
Here’re 5 things you probably didn’t know about prostate cancer, but should.
No early symptoms.
Prostate cancer usually gives off no early signs. Dr Gordon Muir, the Consultant Urological Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital said, that it “can be diagnosed only by examination or a blood test.”
He suggests that you should get checked out if you have, “bone pain, difficulty passing urine, or general malaise”, which might signify advanced prostate cancer.
Blood tests reveal the truth.
It isn’t all fingers up the bum. A blood test followed by a biopsy is taken to help doctors determine your prostate health.
Race and genetics are a factor.
There are a couple of higher risk groups. Dr Gordon Muir tells us that black men are much more likely to develop the disease. Family history also plays a huge role in your risk factor.
Diet can make a difference.
You should take good care of your diet as Dr Muir points out, “Being overweight and eating a lot of cooked red meat may increase the risk slightly too.” To remedy this he suggests, “tomatoes, green and yellow vegetables, soya protein, coffee and garlic may all help. As with most diseases, the best advice is to eat a healthy diet and keep fit”.
There are five types of prostate cancer.
Last year it was announced that the scientists from the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Addenbrooke’s Hospital made the shocking discovery that there are five kinds of prostate cancer.
The discovery means that doctors will now potentially be able to distinguish between slow growing to the deadlier cancers. The discovery was identified by comparing 250 samples removed during surgery.
