Prostate Cancer
The Easy-to-miss Signs Of Prostate Cancer You Should NEVER Ignore As Olympic Hero Sir Chris Hoy Reveals Terminal Diagnosis
British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy has revealed he has incurable prostate cancer, and could have 'two to four years to live' - at the age of just 48.
The 11-times Olympic gold medalist said in February that he was having treatment for cancer, but did not say what form of the disease he had.
Fans were shocked today as he admitted his bleak prognosis, due to the fact that the cancer had spread.
While prostate cancer is typically diagnosed in men aged 70 plus there have dramatic increases in the disease in patients under 50 since the early 90s.
It's not entirely clear why - as most prostate cancer is not clearly linked to lifestyle factors such as obesity, like other cancers - but there are signs men of all ages need to be aware of.
British cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy has revealed he has incurable prostate cancer , and could have 'two to four years to live' - at the age of just 48
Fans were shocked as Sir Chris admitted his bleak prognosis, due to the fact that the cancer had spread
Mystery over causes of early onset prostate cancer
There are roughly 55,000 new cases of prostate cancer each year in the UK and the highest rate is in men aged 70 to 74.
It is the most common male cancer and more than 12,000 die of the disease annually.
There has been more than a 50 per cent rise in diagnoses overall since the 1990, but the biggest increases have been in younger men.
Prostate cancer diagnosed before the age of 55 is sometimes termed 'young onset'.
Doctors are not sure why although changing demographics in the UK - black men are at double the risk of prostate cancer, compared to other ethnicities - may play a role.
Black men who have a direct relative, such as a father or brother with prostate cancer, have four times the risk.
The rise might also be due to better awareness, testing and diagnosis.
While there is some indication factors such as obesity, lack of physical activity and exposure to infections may increase risk, more research is needed.
How early onset prostate cancer is different
Sir Chris Hoy, 48, first discovered he had cancer last year and announced in February that he was undergoing chemotherapy.
In April, he said that the 18-week course of treatment was almost over and that he felt 'excited to get that behind me'.
But it seems the treatment was not successful. Now Sir Chris has revealed that, sadly, he could have as little as two years to live.
Prostate cancer, if it's caught early, is highly treatable. Overall, nine in ten men with the disease will survive for five years or more, and eight in ten survive ten years.
The outlook as far less good for advanced prostate cancer, with survival dropping to one to three years.
Prostate cancer in younger men is more likely to be diagnosed at this stage - as was the case for Sir Chris - which leads experts to believe it's a more aggressive type.
The easy-to-dismiss symptoms no man should ignore
Because prostate cancer, like other cancers, are best treated in earlier stages, experts say all adult men should be aware of changes that could be a sign of the disease.
The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut, situated just below the bladder in men. It plays a vital role in semen production and ejaculation.
Due to its location, it most commonly causes urinary symptoms. If a man notices these, its important to speak to a GP and discuss whether something called a PSA test might be warranted.
PSA stands for prostate specific antigen, a hormone that's produced by the prostate in higher amounts if there is a problem with the gland.
One of the most common signs something is wrong with the prostate is a change in urinary frequency.
While the amount people urinate can vary widely - anything between four and ten or so times can be seen as normal - it's a noticeable increase that experts say men need to be aware of.
Sudden urges - needing to rush to the loo - may also be a sign of a problem.
This could be coupled with difficulty in starting to pee, known medically as hesitancy.
Straining or taking a long time to empty the bladder, a weaker than normal flow and the feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied are also symptoms.
Blood in the urine or semen should also be checked out by a doctor without delay.
These symptoms generally do not mean a man has prostate cancer - more often than not, it could simply be a sign of benign prostate problems that affect more than half of men.
However they should be investigated by a GP and, if a cause cannot be found, a referral to an experienced urologist should be made.
Signs of advanced cancer that may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite and unexpected weight loss, fatigue and pain in the testicles.
Sir Chris was first diagnosed after visiting the doctor with pain in his shoulder. Scans later revealed this was being caused by a tumour that has spread from the prostate.
While advanced prostate cancer can cause urinary symptoms, it doesn't always.
What you should if if you're worried
The NHS states that any man over the age of 50 can request a PSA test from the GP regardless of symptoms.
A PSA test alone can't diagnose prostate cancer - sexual activity, vigorous exercise, certain medications, urinary infections and benign prostate enlargement, all of which are very common, can raise PSA.
However coupled with symptoms it may warrant an examination of the prostate and possibly further testing.
For more information about prostate health visit Prostate Cancer UK.
If a younger man is suffering any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, a PSA test and prostate exam might be worthwhile.
The NHS states that any man over the age of 50 can request a PSA test from the GP regardless of symptoms
Liverpool-based prostate surgeon Mr Marc Lucky said: 'Any man concerned about their prostate from the age of 45 should be offered a PSA test.
'It's important to discuss changes in urinary patterns with the doctor as well as any other reasons for concern.'
PSA test are also available from private doctors and there are home tests available from pharmacists, costing from as little as £30.
'If a younger man gets an abnormal result it might warrant a referral to an experienced urologist who can carry out an examination and other tests,' adds Mr Lucky.
Prostate Cancer Expert's 7 Red Flags For Men To See Doctor
Men are being told to be alert to early signs of a hard-to-spot cancer. Petr Holy, a consultant urologist and specialist in prostate cancer diagnosis from Men's Health Clinic, has highlighted seven potential warning signs of the disease.
He emphasised the importance of vigilance, saying: "Prostate cancer in the early stages can be hard to diagnose because it often comes without symptoms. However, men should keep a close eye on any changes in urinary habits."
He pointed out specific symptoms to watch for, noting: "This includes needing to go to the toilet more often, a sudden urge to urinate, a weak flow or a difficulty in starting to urinate. Feeling as if your bladder has not fully emptied or any straining while going to the toilet should be looked into, as should any blood in the urine or semen."
While these seven symptoms may cause concern, Mr Holy provided some reassurance: "These changes don't necessarily mean someone has prostate cancer. Changes when you go to the toilet can be indicative of an enlarged prostate which is common as men age and is usually nothing to worry about, but make an appointment with a doctor to be sure."
Mr Holy urged anyone with concerns to seek medical advice promptly: "If you are concerned about any changes to your urinary function, however small they may be, or any pain in your back or groin area, please speak to your doctor. They can carry out further tests to rule out cancer or advise of any treatments, if you need them."
He concluded with a crucial reminder about the importance of early detection: "Don't wait for symptoms to develop or get worse before you see anyone. Diagnosis can be a devastating blow for men, but catching it as early as possible is key and the treatment options are improving."
According to Prostate Cancer UK, one in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Mr Holy commented: "We don't know the causes of prostate cancer, but we do know some men are more at risk than others. They include men over the age of 50, members of the black community and anyone with a family history of prostate cancer or women in the family with a history of breast cancer. It's really important for anyone who falls into these groups to keep a close eye on their health and speak with their GP if they are concerned."
I'm A Prostate Cancer Specialist — Don't Ignore These 7 Warning Signs
Be sure to speak to a doctor if you notice these changes (Picture: Getty Images)When it comes to our health, some of us are vigilant about reporting any small changes to our doctor, but others might choose to ignore things and hope they'll go away.
But the earlier you notice something isn't right and take action, the more there is that can hopefully be done to help if there is a problem.
This is especially true for any symptoms that are related to a type of cancer, as the earlier you are diagnosed, the more chance there is that the cancer hasn't spread.
With this in mind, a prostate cancer specialist has shared some of the little-known warning signs of the condition he thinks everyone should know about.
PSA blood tests are often used to detect prostate cancer (Picture: Getty Images/Tetra images RF) What is prostate cancer?Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer amongst men in the UK and mainly affects those over the age of 50, although you can get it at any age.
According to Cancer Research, it's cancer of the prostate gland. The gland is a part of the male reproductive system and is located at the base of the bladder. It's about the size of a walnut but gets bigger as men get older.
Cancer occurs when abnormal cells start to divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. The cells can grow into surrounding tissues or organs, and may spread to other areas of the body.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?In many cases, prostate cancer doesn't cause any symptoms at all. The best way of detecting prostate cancer early is with a PSA blood test, this can be done even in the absence of symptoms.
However, there are a number of warning signs you can should keep an eye out for, most of which are to do with urination. Problems with urinating can often be one of the first signs that something is wrong, especially if the cancer is pressing on or growing near the urethra.
Professor Hashim Ahmed, a Consultant Urological Surgeon at Cromwell Hospital, says: 'It's really important that men speak to their GP as soon as possible, if they notice any changes to their urine.'
He went on to share seven changes to be wary of, including needing to pee more frequently, as well as straining to pee and difficulty when starting to urinate.
Pay attention to changes when you urinate (Picture: Getty Images)1. Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
You'll know what's normal to you but, if you start needing to urinate more often during the day, get a sudden urge to go or needing to get up during the night it can be a sign that your prostate has enlarged or of something else that is wrong such as a UTI.
2. Straining or difficulty starting urinating
As well as needing to urinate more often, men tend to find that when they get to the toilet, they have problems starting to urinate. This may be because the enlarged prostate or tumour is blocking the urine flowing through to the urethra.
3. A weak flow of urine
A weak flow of urine can occur if the cancer is pressing on the urethra, meaning not all the urine in the bladder is able to pass. It may also mean that your bladder doesn't feel empty and you need to go more frequently.
4. Difficulty to stop when peeing or dribbling urine
Similarly to finding it difficult to start urinating, men might also find it difficult to stop urinating once they've started, or may find they dribble urine after they've finished peeing.
5. Feeling like you're not able to fully empty your bladder
As with other symptoms, this may be caused because the tumour or enlarged prostate is blocking the urine flowing through the urethra.
6. Blood in urine
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7. Erectile problems
This can include difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection, painful ejaculation, blood in the semen and decreased volume of ejaculation.
The expert adds: 'If you're displaying these symptoms, don't panic. These can all be caused by other problems, and many are just temporary symptoms. All the same, it's still a good idea to speak to your GP about any concerns you may have as soon as possible, so they can investigate further.'
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