EVERYONE’S toilet habits are different but one expert has warned that there is a red-flag that people should be aware of.
Thousands of men are affected by prostate cancer every year and it’s a cancer that develops slowly.
For many people who have prostate cancer, symptoms won’t show up for many years.
One doctor has now warned men to be aware of one red-flag toilet symptom which could mean you have the killer cancer.
Dr Jiri Kubes, medical director of cancer facility the Proton Therapy Center said people need to be educated on the signs.
He said: “If you regularly find yourself waking up late at night with a sudden need to visit the toilet, it could indicate there is something not right with your prostate.
“Another symptom we often see in our patients is difficulty starting to urinate or a weak flow, as well as blood in the urine or in semen.
“The good news is prostate cancer is often treatable if detected early enough, so it is vital men know what to look out for.
“It can strike at any age, but men over the age of 50 should be keeping a very close eye on the health of their prostate.”
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland, that only men have.
It sits around the urethra – the tube a bloke pees and ejaculates from – between the penis and the bladder.
The main point of the prostate is to produce the fluid which mixes with sperm to create semen – making it pretty vital for reproduction.
But, like all organs in the body, it can be invaded by cancer – when cells in the gland start to grow uncontrollably.
One in eight British men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.
Don’t ignore it
Toilet symptoms should never be ignored and in some cases, they won’t mean you have prostate cancer.
The symptoms of prostate cancer could also be down to prostate enlargement – which usually isn’t a serious risk to your health.
The risk of prostate cancer is no greater for men with an enlarged prostate than it is for men without an enlarged prostate, the NHS says.
But when it comes to cancer, there are other toilet symptoms you should be aware of.
Other loo habits you need to look out for
There are other symptoms, which might occur when you urinate, that could be a sign you have bladder cancer.
Some of these symptoms are similar to those experiences with urinary tract infections (UTIs) or thrush – so if treatment from your GP doesn’t work initially – it’s important to go back if your symptoms persist.
Symptoms of bladder cancer include frequent urination, feeling like you need to urinate but not being able to, frequent urination and peeing throughout the night.
You might also experience a pain or burning sensation when you urinate or blood clots in your pee.
If you’ve noticed the colour of your urine has changed though – this could be a sign of kidney cancer, the NHS says.
