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The Six Biggest Myths About Prostate Cancer – As It Is Named England's Most Common Cancer
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Your support makes all the difference.Read moreProstate cancer has overtaken breast cancer as the most commonly diagnosed cancer in England, new analysis reveals.
NHS data examined by Prostate Cancer UK shows 50,751 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022, exceeding the 48,531 breast cancer diagnoses. This trend continued in 2023, with prostate cancer cases rising to 55,033 and breast cancer diagnoses falling to 47,526.
The data also highlights a significant 25 per cent surge in prostate cancer cases between 2019 and 2023. This increase is attributed to heightened awareness, leading to earlier diagnoses.
While often perceived as an inevitable consequence of ageing, particularly among men, numerous myths surrounding prostate cancer persist.
David James, director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, addresses some of these misconceptions.
Myth 1: Prostate cancer only affects older men"One of the biggest misconceptions about prostate cancer is that many people think it is a disease of just older men, but it doesn't just affect old men," clarifies James.
"There is obviously a link with age. Age is a risk factor, but there are also other significant risk factors, like ethnicity and family history, which put people into high risk categories."
Age is a risk factor but there are also other significant risk factorsMyth 2: There are always symptoms"One of the challenges is that early on, often, it's a symptomless disease," says James. "It's only when it starts to push on the walls of the prostate, or burst out of the prostate, that you really start to kind of get the symptoms that people commonly think about – like frequency of peeing in the night or pain in their lower back.
"These are things that often happen when the prostate cancer is starting to spread or has already spread.
"You will get symptoms at some point, once it's spread far enough or grown enough, but very often, in its early stages, it doesn't have any."
Myth 3: It's slow and not aggressiveThere are kind of different types of the disease.
"Yes there are sort of those slower growing types, but there is also some very aggressive types of prostate cancer," confirms James. "And often in younger men or men with family history, there is a link to having slightly more aggressive types of prostate cancer.
"So, for those who have that aggressive disease, it's even more important to get it caught early, when survival rates are much better."
Myth 4: Treatment needs to start immediately"Sometimes the best thing to do is just to watch it and monitor it before taking action, because it's not one of those diseases where you need to act immediately," says James. "Prostate cancer is bit slower in that respect, even even some of those aggressive types. It's not like you have to start treatment within a matter of days.
"You often have a bit more time to think and act in a way that takes into account the pros and cons of different types of treatment and the type of lifestyle you lead or want to lead."
That is why many men, or those born male, are put on what is called active surveillance, which involves monitoring the cancer without immediate treatment. It's recommended for those with low-risk prostate cancer.
"This actually the best treatment option for many men. Delaying or avoiding having to have treatment like radiotherapy or surgery to remove a prostate which come with side effects is the aim," says James.
"It allows us to ensure, if you do have one of the aggressive types of disease, then we can act. But if you don't, then let's be conservative. Let's monitor it to make sure that if it changes, you know, you get treated."
Myth 5: There's a national screening process for prostate cancer"A lot of people think there is a screening program already in place, which there isn't," clarifies James. "What we have is a a system called informed choice where if you're over a certain age (over 50) you are entitled to a test on the NHS.
"However, there isn't a system in place [which send out invitations] which screens men for prostate cancer like there is for breast cancer, for example."
If you would like a screening, you have to contact your GP directly.
"You have to speak to your GP, and your GP is supposed to have a conversation with you," explains James. "Then you are entitled to have the test."
Myth 6: Prostate cancer treatments will end your sex life"Treatments can have impact on people's ability to have erections, but this varies. It can come back with time and there are some treatments to help with this," says James.
"We try and make clear that just because you have had treatment, it doesn't mean that you can't engage in sexual activities. There are other ways of having sex that don't just involve penetrative sex, and we try to encourage people to to realise that."
Symptoms Of 'silent' Disease That Killed OJ Simpson
OJ Simpson died last year from cancer (Image: Vince Bucci/AFP via Getty Images)
A Netflix documentary titled American Manhunt: OJ Simpson, has been released this week (January 29) and comes less than a year after the former football player died from cancer. The four-part series looks at the "trial of the century" following the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown-Simpson and her friend, Ronald Goldman.
The NFL star, who was found not guilty, was accused of double murder and was put on trial for eight months sending shockwaves through the world. But during the last year of his life, he has a number of health issues and eventually died from cancer.
'The Juice', as he was nicknamed, died from prostate cancer at the age of 76 on April 10 2024. Signs of the cancer can be 'silent' so what are the symptoms you need to look out for? Here is what you need to know.
What are the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer? OJ Simpson attends his parole hearing at Lovelock Correctional Center July 20, 2017 in Lovelock, Nevada. Simpson is serving a nine to 33 year prison term for a 2007 armed robbery and kidnapping conviction (Image:
Jason Bean-Pool/Getty Images)It was reported in February - just two months before his death - that Simpson was diagnosed with cancer, reports local10, with outlets suggesting the cancer was late stage. Despite this, it's unclear when he was diagnosed and how long he had had it for.
But healthcare providers often warn the disease can be difficult to spot, as it often causes no symptoms at first or could be mistaken for normal signs of aging. This is why it's key to keep an eye out for symptoms and to get it checked out as early as possible.
Symptoms, according to Prostate Cancer UK, include:
The charity explains: "Men with early prostate cancer will often have no symptoms because of the way the cancer grows. You'll usually only get early symptoms if the cancer grows near the tube you urinate through (the urethra) and presses against it, changing the way you urinate (wee).
"But because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part (usually the outer part) of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesn't often press on the urethra and cause symptoms." However if prostate cancer breaks out of the prostate or spreads to other parts of the body, symptoms may include:
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)You may be at risk if you:
Experts note that a healthy lifestyle is key but there is no known way to prevent this cancer. The UK charity notes that "Being overweight may increase your risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer that's aggressive (more likely to spread) or advanced (cancer that has spread outside the prostate). Eating healthily and keeping active can help you stay a healthy weight."
Prostate cancer is England's most common cancerAs we reported earlier this week, prostate cancer has become England's most common cancer as more men are getting checked. Prostate Cancer UK analysis shows diagnoses of the disease overtook breast cancer in 2022 and 2023. It suggests there has been a 25% increase in prostate cancer cases between 2019 and 2023 which the charity puts down to heightened awareness of the disease, leading to more men getting an early diagnosis, reports the Mirror Online.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England's Clinical Director for Cancer, said: "Thanks to the hard work of NHS staff and our effective awareness campaigns, we are diagnosing more men with prostate cancer at an earlier stage than ever before, so they have the best possible chance of receiving effective treatment.
"We know that coming forward for prostate checks can be daunting, but it could save your life, so we would encourage men to consult the prostate cancer symptoms advice available on NHS, and to see their GP as soon as possible if they are concerned."
Signs And Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer As It Is Now Most Common
Prostate cancer has become England's most common cancer, according to new analysis. Diagnoses of the disease overtook breast cancer in 2022 and 2023,ProstateCancer UK said.
Data also suggests there has been a 25% increase in prostate cancer cases between 2019 and 2023. The charity said this was down to heightened awareness of the disease, leading to more men getting an early diagnosis.
Analysis of NHS data by Prostate Cancer UK found 50,751 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in England in 2022 compared with 48,531 diagnoses of breast cancer. The figures increased again in 2023, with 55,033 people receiving a prostate cancer diagnosis compared with 47,526 breast cancer cases.
However, there are some key red flag symptoms of prostate cancer that should never be ignored, according to experts and the NHS:
While these symptoms do not always indicate prostate cancer, it's imperative not to dismiss the signs and book a doctor's appointment as soon as possible.
"Recognising and addressing urinary symptoms early can lead to timely diagnosis and more effective treatment options for prostate cancer," says Dr Jiri Kubes, a radiation oncologist specialising in proton beam therapy at the Proton Therapy Centre.
"Things like needing to urinate urgently or more frequently, especially at night, should not be ignored. Prostate cancer can be hard to diagnose in the early stages and so knowing what to look out for is imperative.
"Changes in urinary habits – which can also include difficulty in emptying the bladder and trouble starting your flow – are also among the main ways the body displays changes in the prostate."
He added: "Factors such as these don't necessarily mean you have prostate cancer but there are checks that can be carried out to rule out such a diagnosis.
"One of the most important things with cancer is to identify it as early as possible."
Early diagnosis means there is a far greater chance of a successful treatment pathway and opens up more treatment options.
"Proton beam therapy is available for prostate cancer and has the potential to offer fewer side effects," says Dr Kubes. "That's because it uses a highly-charged proton beam to target cancer cells much more precisely, which ensures surrounding tissues and organs are more protected.
"In an area as delicate as the prostate this can mean protecting things like urinary and sexual function."
GPs can request a blood test which measures levels of prostate-specific antigen, referred to as a PSA test. Physical exams and biopsies can also help to confirm a diagnosis.
At-risk groups include over 55s, members of the black community and those with a family history of the disease. The NHS also highlights back ache, loss of appetite and pain in the testicles as other potential red flags that should lead men to make an appointment with their GP.
Dr Kubes said: "It's crucial that as many men as possible are aware of the risks of prostate cancer and any warning signs. Open conversations in the public realm are one of the main ways we can try to fight the devastating effects of this horrible and cruel disease."
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