How much do you know about prostate cancer?

Reporter: Dr Peter Elton, Director of Public Health NHS Bury
Date online: 06 April 2009

Would you be surprised if I told you that prostate cancer affects almost as many men as breast cancer affects women across the UK?

In Bury, 30 men die every year of prostate cancer, yet research shows people don’t know as much about this type of cancer as they do others, such as lung or bowel. To help avoid becoming part of this alarming statistic, it is important for men to be aware of the disease and factors that increase the chances of developing it. So how much do you know?

Prostate cancer only affects men; the prostate is a small gland at the base of the male bladder. It is rare for men under the age of 45 to develop prostate cancer, however it is more common in men of African descent or when there is a family history of the disease.

Being aware of your body and what is normal for you, means that you can notice any sudden changes. Symptoms such as impotence, an urgency to pass urine, stopping and starting as you pass water, going more often especially during the night and having blood in your urine may not mean you have cancer, but indicate you should speak to your GP about prostate health.

Making changes to your lifestyle can help ward off many types of cancer and improve your chances of living a long, healthy life. Here are some factors to consider that will help you achieve this;

· Eating a healthy diet For better health and to lower the risk of developing cancer it is a good idea to cut down on the amount of red meat, fat and salt in your diet and eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Tomatoes contain an antioxidant which may help protect against prostate cancer and studies show taking supplements such as vitamin E and selenium (with advice from your GP) can also be effective.

· Stopping smoking
1 in 3 cases of cancer are caused by smoking. Giving up not only reduces your chance of getting cancer but also heart disease and high blood pressure. To find out more about quitting with local NHS support please visit www.gosmokefree.co.uk or call 0845 223 9001.

· Monitoring your alcohol intake It is recommended that men drink no more than 3 – 4 units of alcohol per day. Half a pint of ordinary strength beer, lager or cider counts as one unit of alcohol, as does one small glass of wine or one single measure of spirits.

· Getting physical
You don’t need to be a member of a gym to get active, walking, cycling or gardening a few times a week can be enough to keep your body healthy.

March is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and more information is available for you to read online at www.prostate-cancer.org.uk. If you are concerned about your prostate health, talk to your GP.