Movember aims to raise awareness regarding men’s health, seeking to prevent men dying too young. This includes prostate cancer; prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in men worldwide in those over 50 years of age.

Jeremy Clarkson has been made a massive contribution to prostate cancer awareness recently by bravely talking about his own diagnosis. Indeed, on the day of his announcement, 16,749 men took to Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker to check their risk. Such public statements are crucial in encouraging men to take care of their health and not be afraid to speak up; it is important that we carry on the conversation and keep men talking.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Men have an organ, called the Prostate, which is a small walnut sized gland which is located under the bladder. Prostate cancer is cancer that affects this gland.

Like with most types of cancer, how serious the cancer is depends upon the stage at which it is diagnosed. This includes whether it has spread to other parts of the body, which is known as metastasis. However, if prostate cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, it can be successfully treated.

What are the symptoms of Prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer does not always have signs or symptoms at first. It can however result in the following symptoms:

• Finding it difficult to start urinating or straining when urinating
• Noticing a weak flow of urine
• “stop start” urination
• Notice increased need for urinating.
• Feeling like you still need to urinate when you’ve just finished
• Urinating during the night

These symptoms can be a result of other less serious conditions as well as prostate cancer, such as benign prostatic enlargement. If however, you do have any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to a medical professional about them, so that they can be investigated and hopefully rule out prostate cancer.

Other symptoms can include:

• Erectile dysfunction (being unable to get or keep an erection)
• Blood in your urine or blood in your semen
• Lower back pain and losing weight without trying to.

How do you get diagnosed with Prostate cancer?

If you start to notice any of the above symptoms, you should go see your GP. At your GP appointment, your GP should ask about your health, family history of cancer (including whether anyone in your family have suffered from prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer or breast cancer). This gives your GP an idea on your genes which are a risk for prostate cancer.

A blood test, known as a PSA test, can check your PSA levels (prostate specific antigen). A raised result does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer but a higher antigen level can indicate the need for further tests to ascertain why it is raised.

Routine PSA testing is not currently offered on the NHS, unless genetic tests have shown that you have a faulty version of a gene called BRCA2. This gene raises your risk of prostate cancer.

You may be offered a PSA test if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer but you can also ask a GP about PSA testing, even if they have not offered it to you. Your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of having a PSA test, before a decision is made about whether this test is the right choice for you.

If the PSA test does indicate further tests are required, you will be referred to a specialist to undergo an MRI scan. Following this, a biopsy may be required.

After diagnosis, you may be required to undergo a CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan or a Bone scan to assist with identifying the extent of any disease.

What is the Treatment of Prostate Cancer?

Treatment for prostate cancer can include surgery which involves removing the prostate gland, radiotherapy and hormone therapy. If the cancer has spread, you may need chemotherapy.

On occasions, if the cancer hasn’t spread, the treating team may suggest monitoring the cancer. Prostate cancer can be a very slow growing cancer and may be something that can be lived with without it causing a problem. If this is the case, you should be monitored through regular blood tests at your GP surgery or regular tests and scans at Hospital.

There are unfortunately occasions where even healthcare gets it wrong and does not consider the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer seriously enough, leading to individuals experiencing a worse outcome. In such circumstances, you may be able to bring a claim for clinical negligence. Our recent case study concerning delayed diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer covers such a tragic circumstance. Delayed Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer – Lessons Learned – Williamsons Solicitors

Delayed diagnosis cases often require a careful review of GP records, hospital records, test results, referral pathways and expert medical evidence. The key question is usually not simply whether the cancer was diagnosed late, but whether earlier action would probably have changed the outcome.

If you or a family member is concerned that there may have been a delay in diagnosing prostate cancer, our clinical negligence team can review the circumstances and advise on the next steps in a clear and sensitive way.