A WORRYING one in three men over the age of 45 have said they would put off seeking help for prostate cancer, research has revealed.
This, they say, is due to the fact they fear every diagnosis is terminal.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in British men and the number of people being diagnosed with the cancer has increased in recent years.
The symptoms can be vague and creep up on you over many years, or not appear at all.
Research of 1,200 men found that 62 per cent believe undergoing treatment for prostate cancer can result in side effects that could impact quality of life.
This would also cause more than one in 10 to delay seeing a doctor.
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Of those who have received treatment, 48 per cent wish they had known more about how it could have been personalised to them.
Concerns around medication side effects are one of the most common reasons men delay seeking medical help when it comes to prostate related issues – with 32 per cent having raised this concern.
Fatigue, erectile dysfunction, hair loss and a negative impact on their sex life were the most common concerns for treatment related side effect, the research found.
The paper was commissioned by independent cancer care provider, GenesisCare, and was supported by charity Prostate Cancer UK ahead of Men’s Health Awareness Month.
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The two aim to raise awareness of the importance of early diagnosis and the latest advancements in prostate cancer treatment options, to help men make informed treatment decisions.
Clinical Oncologist, Dr Carla Perna, from GenesisCare, said: “There are many treatment options available to men who find themselves diagnosed with this disease.
“However, our research shows that 58 per cent of men we surveyed who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer wish they had known more about how prostate cancer treatment can be personalised.
“It’s clear that there is still a lot of work to be done around ensuring men find a treatment path that is right for them.”
The research also found that a third of those polled via the OnePoll study believe treatment would permanently affect their health or way of life.
While only a quarter are aware there are treatment options available that can minimise side effects.
The 6 signs of prostate cancer you need to know
In most cases, prostate cancer doesn’t have any symptoms until the growth is big enough to put pressure on the urethra – that tube you pee through.
Symptoms include:
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee
- Weak flow
- Straining and taking a long time while peeing
- Feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied fully
Many men’s prostates get larger as they age because of the non-cancerous conditions, prostate enlargement, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.
In fact, these two conditions are more common than prostate cancer – but that doesn’t mean the symptoms should be ignored.
The signs that cancer has SPREAD include bone, back, or testicular pain, loss of appetite, and unexplained weight loss.
Other reasons men delay seeking medical advice include a fear of receiving a cancer diagnosis and believing a prostate cancer diagnosis will always be terminal.
While 32 per cent not thinking symptoms are serious or disruptive enough to warrant a visit to a doctor.
Of the men diagnosed with prostate cancer, more than half wish they’d known more about treatment options available.
And more than a third believed if they had been better informed, they’d have chosen a different treatment pathway.
Dr Carla Perna added: “Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) using MR guided radiotherapy, delivered on the MRIdian MR Linac, is just one of the latest in treatment advances.
“This is a non-invasive option for men with low-to intermediate-risk localised prostate cancer and some selected high-risk cases which can be delivered in as little as five treatment sessions over the course of one week, instead of the conventional 20 or 39 sessions over many weeks.”
Despite the prominence of prostate cancer – with one in eight men being diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime – nearly a third of men aren’t sure what therapies are used.
And nearly a fifth believe treatment for prostate cancer is comprised of chemotherapy alone.
Laura Kerby, chief executive at Prostate Cancer UK, added: “The research highlights that side effects of prostate cancer treatment are a concern to men and discovering new ways to reduce them is a priority for investment in research.
“Recent advances have improved the situation, as have the likely outcomes, so it's important that men understand their treatment options and feel empowered to make a decision that’s right for them.
“Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, but the risk is higher for black men over 45 and men with a family history.
“We urge men to know their risk of the disease and not wait for signs and symptoms. Anyone with concerns can speak to their doctor or contact our specialist nurses.”
Clive Reeves, 58 from Birmingham, said: “I was 58 years old when I was diagnosed with prostate cancer following a PSA blood test taken by my GP during a general check-up.
"I was surprised by my diagnosis as I’d always viewed prostate cancer as an ‘old man’s disease’ and I hadn’t been experiencing any of the urinary symptoms you typically hear about.
"My consultant discussed the various options that were appropriate for my stage of disease and I chose to have radiotherapy on the MRIdian at GenesisCare because it was non-invasive compared with surgery, was delivered over a two week period, and meant no hospital stays.
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"It also had minimal side effects, just a little fatigue, which is already improving.”
By providing more information on innovative treatments and techniques, the GenisisCare hope to support men in achieving the best possible outcome and maintain a good quality of life for as long as possible.
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