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How To Check Your Prostate Cancer Risk In Just 30 Seconds As Referrals Hit A Record High
In honour of Bill Turnbull's legacy, Prostate Cancer UK is asking the nation to share its 30-second risk checker, which has been used by over 1.5 million people since its launch in 2020
The disease is one of the most common cancer in men (file photo) (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Prostate cancer referrals have hit a record high in England, according to new data released one year after the passing of beloved TV presenter Bill Turnbull.
The broadcaster was unable to find a cure for his diagnosis in 2018, but his life-saving legacy lives on. He raised awareness of the most common cancer in men, urging Brits to speak to their GP and spreading the message: "Don't wait like I did – check your risk."
In the week following his death, over 61,000 people checked whether they're at risk of the disease. Three months later, last November, referrals and treatments soared to an all-time high.
And over the span of just one year, urological cancer referrals in England surged by 17 per cent to a quarter of a million (262,044). While early-stage prostate cancer is curable, it doesn't usually show symptoms, which is why it's important to be aware of your risk.
The broadcaster was unable to find a cure for his diagnosis in 2018, but his life-saving legacy lives on (Image:
PA)Nick Whight, 53, is an example of one man who was saved by Bill's legacy. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2018 after hearing about the presenter's diagnosis on BBC Breakfast. He said: "I often describe myself as one of Bill Turnbull's 'cohort' of men and thanks to him I was diagnosed in time to make a full recovery from prostate cancer.
"I knew I wanted to give back, which is why I'm supporting Prostate Cancer UK's latest campaign to raise awareness and honour Bill's incredible legacy. I've also signed up to take part in Jeff Stelling's Football March this September – I'd really wanted to take on a physical challenge and to help raise funds for the charity, so it was just perfect timing for me."
In honour of his legacy, Prostate Cancer UK is asking the nation to 'Broadcast it like Bill' and share its 30-second risk checker, which has been used by over 1.5 million people since its launch in 2020. The short quiz has also helped to get referrals back to, and above, pre-pandemic levels.
But there are still some parts of the country being neglected in a 'postcode lottery', according to the charity. Referrals in London are now 22 per cent above pre-pandemic levels, while this figure sits at just 10 per cent in the Midlands.
Laura Kerby, Chief Executive at Prostate Cancer UK, said: "We know that there's more to do, as too many men are still being diagnosed too late and some areas of the country are recovering more slowly than others. That's why we need to keep reaching those men who are most at risk of prostate cancer – including men over 50, Black men, and men with a history of prostate cancer in their family."
With prostate cancer causing around 12,000 deaths in the UK every year, it's crucial to be aware of its early warning signs. Symptoms include difficulty starting urination, as well as a weak or interrupted stream of urine.
The struggle to empty the bladder completely and frequent urination, especially at night, is another cause for concern. Burning or pain while urinating, as well as blood in the urine or semen, are also symptoms. A new onset of erectile dysfunction is another sign to look out for.
You can take Prostate Cancer UK's 30-second risk checker here.
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Prostate Cancer Signs And Symptoms As Andy Taylor Reveals He Thought He Had Arthritis
Andy Taylor was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer in 2018 and wants to encourage men to get tested. (Getty Images)
Duran Duran's Andy Taylor is hoping to break down the stigma surrounding prostate cancer by encouraging men to be aware of the symptoms and get tested.
The 62-year-old guitarist was diagnosed in 2018 with stage-four prostate cancer, which he has now revealed as "asymptomatic" following him being classified previously as needing "palliative, end-of-life care".
Speaking to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 he explained that he initially mistook his own symptoms for arthritis.
"I just thought I had arthritis at first," he explains. "And that might be something that someone hears and thinks 'hang on, I was wondering if that is happening to me at the moment. So if that makes the difference to them going and having a check.
"Don't be shy boys, go talk to the doctors and nurses. Us chaps don't really like to say 'have you had a bit of trouble?' We don't talk, whereas ladies do," he continues. "But if we brother up a bit, you've had a few pints and you discuss it, or you go to the doctors to get checked out."
Andy Taylor of Duran Duran performs on stage during the first London date of their UK tour at Wembley Arena on April 13, 2004. (Getty Images)
Taylor went on to say when he asks his friends if they've had a PSA test (A blood test that can help diagnose prostate problems, including prostate cancer) a lot of them respond by saying it "won't happen to them."
"We need to break down the stigma attached to it because of the subject matter," he continues. "It's now the second biggest killer of men and it's catching you at 40 and 50 not 60 and 70".
The guitarist went on to highlight some of the ways to get tested including PSA tests, MRI scans and genomic testing. "So just talking about it, getting it early, because what guys and families don't realise is it's a killer. It's not a cure when you get to stage four, it's very, very difficult. But it can be avoided with a bit of common sense and a bit of male humility."
Prostate cancer: Read moreStory continues
Andy Taylor says there is still a stigma surrounding men getting tested for prostate cancer. (Getty Images)
What is prostate cancer?Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way, according to charity Prostate Cancer UK.
Some prostate cancers grow really slowly, meaning it won't cause any problems, but other prostate cancers grow quickly and are more likely to spread.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, with more than 47,500 new cases every year – that's 129 men being diagnosed every day.
More than 11,500 men die from prostate cancer in the UK each year – that's one man every 45 minutes.
Watch: Paul Burrell emotional as he reveals cancer diagnosis on TV
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?Some prostate cancer develops slowly, so its symptoms may not show for many years, and might never cause any problems in your lifetime.
The signs of prostate cancer often only become noticeable when the prostate is enlarged enough to affect the urethra – the tube carrying urine from the bladder to the penis.
According to the NHS, prostate cancer symptoms can include:
needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
needing to rush to the toilet
difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
straining or taking a long time while peeing
weak flow
feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
blood in urine or blood in semen
But these symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer. Many men's prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called prostate enlargement.
For some men the first symptoms of prostate cancer occur when it has spread beyond the prostate gland to the bones and these can include back pain, loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unexplained weight loss.
Whatever pain, discomfort or symptoms you feel, it is always best to discuss these with your GP.
Needing to pee more often is one of the potential signs of prostate cancer. (Getty Images)
How is prostate cancer diagnosed?Paul Erotocritou, consultant urological surgeon, says GPs can use a number of tests to diagnose the condition.
"A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test detects whether there is a rise of the PSA protein in the blood that might indicate prostate cancer," he previously told Yahoo UK.
"There is also a urine test to detect whether an enlarged prostate might actually be an inflammation of the gland.
"Your GP may also be able to feel an enlarged prostate through the wall of the bowel."
Further hospital tests may include more advanced options such as a prostate biopsy, MRI, CT or ultrasound scan, or prostate mapping.
Treatments for prostate cancerIf you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are several possible treatments available including:
Monitoring a slow-spreading cancer
Radiotherapy, hormone therapy
Removal of the gland
"It's best to discuss treatments and side effects with your doctor," said Erotocritou.
Anyone with concerns about prostate cancer can contact Prostate Cancer UK's specialist nurses in confidence on 0800 074 8383 or online via the Live Chat instant messaging service at www.Prostatecanceruk.Org.
The specialist nurse phone service is free to landlines and open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday, with late opening until 8pm on Wednesdays.
Men can also check their risk of disease at prostatecanceruk.Org/riskcheck
Additional reporting PA.
Prostate Cancer Study Suggests A Simple, 10 Minute Way To "significantly" Reduce Deaths
A new study from the UK has suggested a new way to "significantly" reduce prostate cancer deaths.
It says that a simple, 10-minute MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan can pick up more early-stage tumors than current methods.
At the moment, doctors usually diagnose prostate cancer through a PSA blood test. This measures the amount of Prostate Specific Antigen in the blood.
Men with prostate cancer have an elevated amount of PSA. However, other factors can also raise your PSA levels, including age, prostate infection, and certain medications. The blood test is therefore a blunt diagnostic tool. Some have criticized it for its unreliability.
The Reimagine study, carried out by researchers at University College London Hospital, gave 300 men an MRI scan. It also looked at PSA "density". This compared the level of PSA in the blood with the size of the individual's prostate gland, which can naturally increase with age. They had a hunch this would give a more accurate indicator of cancer.
It turns out they were right.
It turned out that 16% of the men with an average PSA score had an MRI scan that indicated the presence of prostate cancer. More than 30 of these men would not typically have been referred for further investigation because of their "average" PSA level.
Caroline Moore, a professor of urology at University College London and consultant at University College London Hospital, said: "The thought that over half of the men with clinically significant cancer had a PSA less than 3ng/ml – and would have been reassured that they didn't have cancer – is a sobering one and reiterates the need to consider a new approach to screening.
"Our results give an early indication that MRI could offer a more reliable method of detecting potentially serious cancers early."
Professor Mark Emberton, a consultant urologist at UCLH, said, "Given how treatable prostate cancer is when caught early, I'm confident that a national screening program will reduce the UK's prostate cancer mortality rate significantly."
Simon Grieveson, assistant director of research at Prostate Cancer UK, told Sky News: "MRI scans have revolutionized the way we diagnose prostate cancer and it's great to see research into how we might use these scans even more effectively."
Prostate cancer is very rare in men under 40. The average age of those diagnosed is 66. It can impact all men but Black men are known to be more at risk. Genetics can also play a part.
Out of every 100 American men, about 13 will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, and about 2 to 3 of those men will die from prostate cancer. It accounts for around 34,700 deaths a year in the US.
Early signs can include any of the following:
Do speak to a doctor if you have any concerns. Trans women and non-binary individuals who have prostate glands are affected by many of the same issues.
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