This month, March 2022, is Cancer Research UK’s annual Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

With 1 in 8 UK men being diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, it is important for all men to be aware of the risks and symptoms of prostate cancer, the most common cancer in men.

Globally around 10.8 million men face life with a prostate cancer diagnosis. However, not everyone knows what the prostate is (a walnut shaped and sized gland that sits underneath the bladder and grows as men age) or knows the risk factors and the potential signs and symptoms of prostate cancer.

At the conclusion of this Prostate Cancer Awareness month, we want to share how men can learn more about prostate cancer and learn about the risks to them. We set out some simple steps you can take below.  

1. Arrange a routine check-up with your GP

Often prostate cancer is first detected during a routine check-up. This is because most men with early prostate cancer do not have any signs or symptoms. 

When men reach the age of 50, they should have regular check-ups with their doctor to monitor their prostate health.

For black men and those with a family history of prostate cancer, the risk of prostate cancer is higher and so these men are advised to start the conversation with their GP earlier - at ages 40 to 45 instead of in their 50s.

If you have reached these ages (40/45 or 50) and have not yet had a check-up, think about booking in for one.

Prostate Cancer UK have helpfully prepared a form that men can fill in and take to their doctor’s appointment to make the process of speaking to a doctor easier.

2. Look out for common signs and symptoms

Some men with prostate cancer see changes in their sexual or urinary function, such as blood in urine or semen, or getting up during the night to pass urine, passing urine more often or having difficulty in passing urine.

Most of these changes are more likely to be caused by a common non-cancerous problem called an enlarged prostate. However, it is important for men with such symptoms to speak to their GP.

For more information on symptoms, click here.

3. Attend Prostate Cancer UK’s webinar

At 11am on 31 March 2022, Prostate Cancer UK are running a virtual awareness webinar that encourages participants to learn more about prostate cancer and its impact. A Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse will be in attendance, who will discuss the risks and potential symptoms of prostate cancer and what can be done to potentially save lives. 

4. Assess your risk of cancer with Prostate Cancer UK’s and NHS England’s risk checker tool

According to NHS England data released earlier this year, prostate cancer accounts for over one third of cancers which have gone undiagnosed as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic.

In February 2022 Prostate Cancer UK joined forces with NHS England to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at locating, what is estimated to be, 14,000 men who, because of the pandemic, have not started treatment for prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer UK have asked the public to use and share their new risk checker tool, which identifies a person’s risk of prostate cancer by answering 3 quick questions. The process takes 30 seconds and not only assesses your risk of prostate cancer, but also provides resources and advice based on the risk level.

Click here to check your risk of prostate cancer in 30 seconds.

Why are we at JMW raising awareness of prostate cancer this month?

We are keen to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer and the need for checks as, sadly, we have acted for too many clients with cancer whose outlook is worse than it needs to be because early concerns were not picked up on.

We know from the cancer cases that we have dealt with in the past and are dealing with now, that early diagnosis is key.  An early diagnosis of prostate cancer when the cancer is localised means there is a chance that the cancer may not require treatment and can be monitored with regular check-ups instead. If treatment is required, it will usually aim to get rid of the cancer, rather than keep it under control.

According to Cancer Research UK, when diagnosed at its earliest stage 100% of people with prostate cancer will survive for five years or more, compared with 49% of people when the disease is diagnosed at the latest stage.

We have seen too often the devastating consequences that a delay in diagnosis can have on individuals and their loved ones. For example, the solicitors in our London team acted for a man in his fifties, Paul, who despite reporting urinary symptoms was not investigated properly for the possibility of prostate cancer. As a result of that delay in diagnosis he had to undergo major surgery, which could have been avoided. He was left with cancer that could not be cured, pain and symptoms of incontinence.  

Paul’s story brings home the importance of early diagnosis and treatment and that is why we are using this Prostate Cancer awareness month to highlight ways in which men can learn more about prostate cancer.​​​​​​