The Prostate Cancer Charity – Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, 10 to 16th March 2008
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Each year 35,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and 10,000 men die – that’s one man every hour.
From 17th February you can show your support by purchasing a pin badge at your local Marks and Spencer store or buying specially designed Marks and Spencer menswear merchandise in selected stores to raise vital funds to support the work of the Prostate Cancer Charity with men and their families.
The Prostate Cancer Charity is fighting prostate cancer on every front – through research, support, information and campaigning.
Prostate Cancer – some information
Where is the prostate gland
The prostate gland is the shape and size of a walnut and sits underneath the bladder. It surrounds the tube that men pass urine and semen through (the urethra) which is why, if something is wrong, it can cause problems with a man’s waterworks.
What does the prostate do?
The prostate gland is important to a man’s sexual function. The gland’s main jobs are to support the neck of he bladder and to make up some of the fluid of semen.
What are the symptoms?
The following symptoms may be a sign of a prostate problem, but many men with early prostate cancer will no have any symtoms at all. These symptoms can be caused by other non-cancerous problems so it’s important to visit your GP to find out what is wrong:
- needing to urinate more often, expecially at night.
- needing to rush to the toilet, so that you may even leak uring sometimes
- difficulty starting or taking a long time to finish urinating
- a weak flow
- dribbling
- feeling that the bladder hasn’t emptied properly
Who is at risk?
Most men diagnosed with prostate cancer are aged over 50. You are more likely to get prostate cancer if your father or brother has been diagnosed. African Caribbean men are three times more likely to be diagnosed than white men.
The Prostate Cancer Charity recommends that men may be able to reduce their risk by eating less animal fat, eating more fruit and vegetables and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Where can I go to find out more?
The Prostate Cancer Charity provides free information about prostate cancer and other prostate problems.
The Charity’s confidential Helpline is staffed by specialist nurses.
Call 0800 074 8383
Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm, Wed 7pm to 9pm
Calls are free of charge from UK landlines.
Mobile charges may vary.
For more information or to doante, visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk