Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with 35,000 being diagnosed each year, yet research shows that 70% do not know what the prostate is. Here we give you a guide on the risk factors of prostate cancer and how it is diagnosed.
It is very important to emphasise that the presence of symptoms does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. Any problem with the prostate will generally lead to some of these symptoms, which can include prostatitis (a prostate inflammation) or benign prostatic hyperplasia, a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. However it is not necessary to have felt any of those symptoms to develop prostate cancer.

What is the prostate gland?
Only men have a prostate gland, which is about the size of a walnut and is positioned just beneath the bladder. Its main function is to produce fluids that nourish and protect sperm.
Which part of the population is most at risk of developing prostate cancer?
Studies have shown that over 85% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men over 60.
The same studies have also shown that African Caribbean men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.
It is also proven that men whose brother or father contracted the disease are 2.5 times more likely to develop prostate cancer.
Further more people who have a diet rich in fat, dairy products and red meat are also more likely to develop prostate cancer.

Benenden Healthcare, a not for profit backup healthcare for employees of the public sector offers plans to support people who have contracted diseases such as prostate cancer so that they can live with the disease more easily.

How is it diagnosed?

Blood test
To check for PSA (prostate specific antigen). If it is slightly raised it is more likely to indicate benign prostate disease, but the higher the level, the more likely it is to be cancer.

Rectal examination
To examine the prostate gland and check for abnormal thickening.

Rectal ultrasound
A small ultrasound probe is put into the back passage to get a clear picture of the prostate. This is a quick procedure and is uncomfortable rather than painful.

Needle biopsy
If a problem has been found, a fine needle is put along the ultrasound probe to take a tissue sample. Your doctor will give you a local anaesthetic and it will be done as an outpatient procedure.

Benenden Healthcare is a not for profit healthcare backup for employees of the public sector. Benenden offers its members free health screenings so that diseases like prostate cancer can be diagnosed early.

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