Biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer after primary definitive therapy: treatment based on risk stratification
'I'm A Doctor Here's An Early Prostate Cancer Symptom Overlooked After Chris Hoy Diagnosed'
Chris Hoy revealed his cancer diagnosis (Image: Visionhaus/Getty Images)
A doctor has shared a complaint which often goes unnoticed as a prostate cancer symptom following Sir Chris Hoy sharing his devastating diagnosis.
The six-time Olympic gold medallist revealed that he has been given two to four years to live, months after sharing his diagnosis. "And just like that, I learn how I will die," Hoy wrote in his new book, All That Matters.
Now, a GP has shared one symptom of this common cancer that is often overlooked, as well as a swathe of other early signs of the disease to be aware of. Taking to TikTok, Dr Ahmed said: "Cancer in young people, it is getting more common."
Dr Ahmed explained Hoy had initially presented with shoulder pain, which he mistook for a gym injury but this can often be the "first presenting complaint" of the cancer. Back pain, shoulder pain and swollen lymph nodes can all be signs of the disease.
Unfortunately, these symptoms often mean the cancer has metastasised, meaning it has already spread to other parts of the body. This was the case for Hoy, whose cancer has now spread to his bones.
The GP added the most common early signs of prostate cancer are "urinary", such as needing to pass urine more often, having blood in your urine or waking up multiple times in the night needing to go to the bathroom. However, he added these symptoms can easily be missed, especially in young people.
Other, but less common, signs of the disease include abdominal pain, tenesmus the constant feeling of needing to empty your bowels or bladder, unexpected weight loss and "any new constipation", according to Dr Ahmed, reported SurreyLive.
"Like all cancers, the earlier we catch it, the more it's curable," he continued. "For example, if we catch prostate cancer at an early stage, almost all men will be fully cured. However, if it's an advanced stage, only 28% of men will become cured."
Prostate cancer is considered common, one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lives. It is more common in older men, particularly those aged 75 to 79.
According to the NHS, the disease usually develops slowly, and there may be no signs for many years. The condition is typically diagnosed using blood tests, a physical examination of the prostate, an MRI scan and/or a biopsy. Treatment options of the disease at an early stage can include surgically removing the prostate or radiotherapy.
GP Warns Of Early Sign Of Prostate Cancer Often Overlooked As Chris Hoy Diagnosed
Olympic champ Sir Chris Hoy, 48, has sparked a wave of men looking into the symptoms of prostate cancer following his terminal diagnosis. Here's everything you need to know - including when to call a GP Sir Chris Hoy has sparked more men to learn about prostate cancer symptoms (Image: @ChrisHoy1/Instagram)
Sir Chris Hoy has been 'blown away' by the surge in men searching for prostate cancer symptoms following his diagnosis.
The Olympic champ revealed this week that he has between two and four years to live after rounds of chemotherapy were unsuccessful in stopping the disease from spreading. Chris, 48, described the moment he found out his cancer had progressed to stage four was a 'huge shock'.
"We've taken time to process it as a family and I now have a deep resolve to turn this incredibly difficult diagnosis into something more positive..." he wrote on social media. "I understand that there has been a massive increase in men seeking advice in prostate cancer in the last few days and that's been a huge comfort to us to know that hopefully many lives could be saved by early testing."
Now, a GP has shared one symptom that is often overlooked, as well as a swathe of other early signs of the disease. "Prostate cancer is young people is getting more common," GP Dr Ahmed said online. "The most common symptoms of a prostate cancer are going to be urinary... However, these symptoms often go missed, especially in younger people - and unfortunately the first presenting complaint is normally a sign of metastasis, like back pain, shoulder pain, swollen lymph nodes that won't go down."
Bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unintentional weight loss, could indicate the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Speak with your GP if you have any of these symptoms.
If you are over 50, you can ask for a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test which may help detect early prostate cancer; If you have a raised PSA level, you may be offered an MRI scan of the prostate to help doctors decide if you need further tests and treatment.
With around 55,100 new cases and 12,000 deaths in the UK every year, prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in males. But, in the early stages the disease does not tend to cause any symptoms - which means early detection is rare.
"Most prostate cancers start in the outer part of the prostate gland," explains leading charity Cancer Research UK. "This means that to cause symptoms, the cancer needs to be big enough to press on the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. This is called urethra. Urinary symptoms such as difficulty passing urine are rarely caused by prostate cancer. They are much more likely to be caused by a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)."
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Prostate cancer symptomsAccording to the NHS, the following symptoms could be early warnings sign of prostate cancer and should be flagged to a doctor. However, there is a big overlap with these side-effects and other issues including prostate enlargement, so do not panic if you're experiencing the below:
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Six Prostate Cancer Facts As Chris Hoy Shares Terminal Diagnosis
Sir Chris Hoy has opened up about his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis (Getty Images)
Chris Hoy has revealed his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis, after doctors told him he has two or four years to live.
The 48-year-old Olympian is one of almost half a million men living with this type of cancer in the UK, making it one of the most common forms in males. The cancer is found in the prostate gland, underneath the bladder around the urethra. This gland is typically the size of a walnut, but it increases as men ages.
Prostate Cancer UK estimate that one in eight men in the UK will get prostate cancer during their lifetime, so it's crucial to know the signs and symptoms in order to get an early diagnosis. Though it largely affects men over 50 or those with a family history of the condition, it can occur at any age.
Here are six facts you should know about as Hoy's diagnosis raises awareness of the common cancer.
1. The early signs can be subtle - so checking them is crucialThe first signs of prostate cancer might go unnoticed as they can be as common as back pain and struggling to urinate. Cancer Research UK found other common early symptoms include blood in your urine, unexplained weight loss or fevers, tiredness and having to urinate more often. Not all of these symptoms will be cancerous, but it's important to get them checked out.
2. The risk increases with ageThe risk of developing prostate cancer increases with age, as the Prostate Cancer Foundation estimate that six in 10 cases happen in men over the age of 65. Therefore, men over 65 should take extra caution when checking their prostate and swiftly act if they are experiencing any uncommon pains, aches or issues with their urine.
3. Getting tested is keyIf you have symptoms, don't delay getting checked to know for certain what your diagnosis is and the next steps. If you don't have symptoms, it's still worth getting tested. A PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test measures the levels of PSA in your body and may detect prostate cancer early. The NHS doesn't routinely offer this test but any man or person with a prostate can book an appointment with a GP to discuss having it. Alternatively, you can pay for it privately.
4. There are a number of testsAside from the PSA test, there are a number of checks a GP can perform to determine if symptoms are a sign of prostate cancer. Often, the first text is an examination of the prostate and if a GP finds any lumps or abnormal hard areas then there will be further investigation with a blood test, biopsy or a scan. These additional tests will be able to say for certain if cancerous cells are present and what stage the cancer is, as well as predict the prognosis.
5. There's no need be embarrassedIt can be daunting talking to the GP about your prostate, but try not to be embarrassed as it's a completely confidential meeting. Prostate cancer is also the most common cancer amongst men in the UK, so know that you aren't alone in this process.
6. Treatment is variedThe treatment for prostate cancer varies from person to person depending on how aggressive and advanced the cancer is, as well as the general health of the patient. Treatments can include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, hormone therapy and for cancer that hasn't spread from the prostate then it is also possible to surgically remove the prostate gland.
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