Facts about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men and more than 10,000 die in the UK every year as a direct result of the disease.

A man aged 50 has a 1 in 11 chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Last year more than 30,000 men in the UK were told they have prostate cancer

Survival rates for advanced prostate cancer have improved little in the past 50 years and we are determined to make progress in this area. We know that our work is leading towards success. We just don’t know when that success will come. What we do know, however, is that every pound we raise brings that moment closer.

What is prostate cancer?

What is cancer?

Your body is made up of millions of cells which continuously renew themselves to replace old or damaged tissue. When the renewal process gets out of control and begins to invade healthy tissue it is called cancer.

Cancers are described as ‘malignant’. Other words for cancer are tumours and neoplasms. Sometimes cancer cells can break away from the original site and settle in other parts of the body causing further damage. When this happens the cancers that have spread are called ‘metastases or ‘secondaries’.

What and where is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland found only in men and is just below the bladder. When you pass urine it flows through a tube (urethra) and out through the penis. The urethra has to pass through the prostate before reaching the penis. This is why some men have problems with urinating when they have an enlarged prostate.

What are the symptoms?

Listed below are some symptoms which are usually caused by problems OTHER than prostate cancer, so please don’t worry if you have any of them but do check them out with your doctor

  • Difficulty or pain in passing urine
  • Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine
  • Frequent visits to the toilet, especially at night
  • Starting and stopping while urinating
  • Dribbling urine
  • A feeling of not having emptied the bladder fully

Who is likely to be affected by prostate cancer?

Each year, over 30,000 cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in men in the UK. Generally prostate cancer affects men aged over 50, although it has been diagnosed in younger men.

Statistically, a man has approximately double the chance of developing prostate cancer if his father or brother has prostate cancer. However, only a small fraction (less than 10%) of prostate cancer is hereditary.

Race is a factor, with men of Afro-Caribbean extraction having a higher risk. These men more often develop aggressive cancer and at a younger age than Caucasians. The lowest incidence of prostate cancer is seen in the Far East.

What will happen if prostate cancer is left untreated?

If prostate cancer is left untreated it may eventually spread to other parts of the body. If the cancer is found at a late stage it is likely that treatment will only slow it down rather then cure it.

Can men live with prostate cancer?

4 out of 10 men who are 70 years or older will have prostate cancer, but most of them will live out their whole lives without it ever being discovered or affecting them. If the cancer grows slowly it may never cause a problem in a mans natural life time

However, it is always advisable for a man to consult his doctor if he is displaying any of the symptoms associated with prostate cancer.

Is the incidence of prostate cancer on the rise?

There has been a rise in prostate cancer incidence over the last 20 years. Much of the increase in incidence is due to the increased detection of prostate cancer through use of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing.

If you would like more information regarding prostate cancer please contact us to order your copy of our FREE information booklet 'Treating prostate cancer questions and answers'. To receive a copy phone us on 020 7679 9366

The management of prostate cancer

About half the men who go to their doctor with prostate cancer have cancer that is confined to the prostate. There are three options open to these men - radical prostatectomy (surgical removal), radiotherapy and active surveillance (also called watchful waiting - following the course of the disease and only treating if the cancer progresses).

The other half of men who are diagnosed have disease that is more advanced. These men are usually given hormone therapy, either with surgery (by removal of the testicles) or with drugs called LH-RH agonists. Sometimes men with early prostate cancer are given hormone therapy with drugs while they are waiting for their prostatectomy or radiotherapy.

If you would like more information about any of these treatments please order a copy of our free information booklet 'Treating prostate cancer questions and answers' by phoning us on 020 7679 9366 or by email, info@prostate-cancer-research.org.uk.