Beyond Men’s Health Week: Understanding Prostate Cancer

As we reflect on Men’s Health Week, it’s important to remember that men’s health is not something to focus on for just one week of the year. Raising awareness, encouraging conversations and helping people understand their risks should happen all year round.

One of the most important topics to keep talking about is prostate cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in England.

In this article, we’ll explore the risk factors for prostate cancer, the symptoms to be aware of, current developments in screening and research, and the support available for those affected by cancer, whether personally or through a loved one’s diagnosis.

Understanding your risk

Around 1 in 8 men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. However, some men are at a higher risk than others.

Your risk increases if you:

• Are aged 50 or over

• Are Black, with around 1 in 4 Black men developing prostate cancer during their lifetime

• Have a family history of prostate, breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer

One of the challenges with prostate cancer is that it can develop without causing any symptoms. This means it’s important to understand your risk and speak to your GP if you have concerns, even if you feel well.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

When symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Difficulty starting urination

• A weak urine flow

• Straining or taking longer to urinate

• Needing to urinate more frequently, particularly at night

• Feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

• Dribbling urine after finishing

• A sudden or urgent need to urinate

• Erectile dysfunction

Less commonly, prostate cancer can cause pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis.

It’s important to remember that these symptoms do not automatically mean you have prostate cancer. Many other conditions can cause similar symptoms. However, any persistent changes should be discussed with your GP.

Screening and research

Unlike some other cancers, there is currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK.

Research is ongoing to find the most effective way to detect prostate cancer earlier. Prostate Cancer UK’s TRANSFORM trial is the largest prostate cancer screening study ever undertaken in the UK and aims to identify the safest and most effective approach to screening in the future.

The study is exploring a range of testing methods to help identify prostate cancer before it becomes advanced and more difficult to treat. The findings could play an important role in shaping future screening programmes and improving outcomes for men across the UK.

Addressing health inequalities

Not everyone is affected by prostate cancer in the same way. Significant inequalities remain in both diagnosis and outcomes, with factors such as ethnicity, location and socioeconomic circumstances influencing risk and access to care.

Men from more deprived communities are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, while Black men face a significantly higher lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer. Raising awareness and improving access to information, testing and support remain vital in helping to reduce these inequalities and improve outcomes for all men.

Taking action

The good news is that there are simple steps men can take today:

• Learn about your personal risk factors

• Speak to your GP if you have symptoms or concerns

• Have conversations with family members about health history

• Make use of trusted sources of information and support

Prostate Cancer UK provides a range of resources, including specialist nurses, support services and an online Risk Checker to help men understand their risk and decide what action to take.

Support is available

Concerns about symptoms, ongoing investigations or a cancer diagnosis can be challenging both physically and emotionally. The impact is often felt not only by the individual, but also by their family, friends and loved ones.

With an active SAS policy, our nursing team may be able to provide guidance and support throughout your journey. Whether you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, are awaiting further investigations or diagnosis, or are supporting someone close to you, help may be available.

Depending on your policy, you may be able to access services including Cancer Support, Counselling and emotional wellbeing support, alongside a range of health and wellbeing services designed to help you look after both your physical and mental health.

If you would like to find out more about the support available to you, please contact us on nurse@uk-sas.co.uk or via the online wellbeing portal or app. 

Men’s Health Week may be over, but awareness and support should be available all year round. By continuing the conversation about prostate cancer, we can help more men understand their risk, seek advice earlier and access the support they need when it matters most.