Men's Health Alert
Talking about their below-the-belt health isn't exactly a chat most men are rushing to have. However, prostate cancer is now the most common type of tumor in England, with one man dying every 45 minutes from the disease.
In a surge of diagnoses after the Covid pandemic, 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, making it crucial to be aware of the signs and symptoms.
Who's at Risk?
The likelihood of having prostate cancer increases from age 50 onwards. Black men are at double the risk and advised to be checked from age 45. Additionally, having a family history of the disease doubles the threat.
Recognizing Symptoms
Symptoms may include needing to urinate more often, difficulty starting to pee, weak flow, and feeling that your bladder hasn't emptied fully. If you experience these signs, speak to your GP.
Advanced Symptoms
If the cancer spreads, symptoms may include back or bone pain, persistent tiredness, and unexplained weight loss. It's important not to ignore these signs.
Understanding the Causes
The exact causes of prostate cancer are unknown, but recent research suggests that obesity increases the risk while regular exercise lowers it. A diet rich in dairy and high in calcium is also thought to elevate the risk level.
Eating foods containing lycopene, like tomatoes, can help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. To check your risk level, you can take an online test provided by Prostate Cancer UK.
