Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK, accounting for almost a quarter of all male cancers. Each year, nearly 35,000 men are diagnosed and more than 10,000 die from the disease.

Research from male cancer charity Orchid reveals UK men know more about breast and other women’s cancers than those which affect only men. With the research also comes the warning that ignorance amongst both men and women in the UK about prostate and testicular cancers, puts men at great risk because the signs and symptoms are missed.

The research results show:

• 1 in 3 men say they’re most knowledgeable about breast cancer compared to 1 in 10 men who are familiar with the signs and symptoms of testicular cancer

• 1 in 10 women say they don’t check their breasts compared to 1 in 4 men who don’t check their testes

• 1 in 3 men are not aware they can check themselves for lumps

• Only 1 in 5 men admit to being clued up on prostate cancer

• 1 in 6 men think prostate cancer can affect women

• 1 in 4 have a family member or close friend with testicular or prostate cancer

CWU's National Health, Safety and Environment Officer Dave Joyce said, "The Prostate Cancer Charity very much welcome the CWU's support in raising awareness and they can provide information, leaflets, posters on request and are also willing where possible to provide a speaker or stand at meetings organised by CWU."

Dave added: "Men have a reputation for not being as health conscious as women. The Men's Health Forum tell us that studies prove that Men are less likely to go to their doctor with cancer symptoms and Men are more reluctant to visit the doctor and monitor themselves for signs of illness. 1 in 3 men are knowledgeable about breast cancer but only 1 in 10 men who are familiar with the signs and symptoms of Prostate and Testicular Cancers."

With March being an awareness month for male cancers, but particularly prostate cancer, the CWU's national health and safety officer has issued two letters to branches in the last couple of weeks alerting members to these issues.

LTB 166/10 urges Representatives to run local awareness campaigns to raise awareness of Prostate cancer and make contacts with various Cancer Charities - 'Prostrate Cancer Charity', 'Orchid (Male Cancer Charity)', Cancer Research UK etc.

It also provides information about prostate cancer in particular:

Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed male cancer in the UK, accounting for almost a quarter of male cancers. Each year, nearly 35,000 men are diagnosed and more than 10,000 die from the disease.

The prostate gland is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It’s about the size of a walnut, producing the liquid that nourishes, protects and carries sperm on ejaculation. It tends to increase in size with age, called benign prostatic hypertrophy, causing symptoms in some men like urinary frequency.

If prostate cancer is found early, while still confined to the gland itself, chances of survival are excellent.

Earlier, LTB152/10 raised the profile on March being male cancers awareness month:

"March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month organised by the Prostrate Cancer Charity which campaigns to raise awareness amongst the male population in the UK and campaigns to improve prostate cancer health care services because they believe that people affected by prostate cancer should receive the highest standards of treatment and care wherever they live.

During March the Health, Safety & Environment Department is asking Branches, Regional Health and Safety Forums, Health and Safety Representatives and other CWU Reps to join in the efforts and support the charities aims.

We have spoken to the Charity and they very much welcome the CWU's support in raising awareness and want to support efforts by providing information, leaflets, posters and also where possible, provide a speaker or stand at meetings organised by CWU."

The LTB also referred specifically to men in the African Caribbean communities at being at particular risk:

"African Caribbean men in the UK have approximately three times greater risk of developing prostate cancer than white men. They also present with prostate cancer approximately five years earlier than white men; with an average age of 67.9 years compared to 73.3 years.

The reason for the heightened risk of prostate cancer in African Caribbean men is not known. There are many possible theories including genetics although, to date, research has been unable to draw any definite conclusions.
Despite their increased risk, African Caribbean men have lower awareness of prostate cancer and the signs and symptoms than white men.

Worryingly, only a small proportion (15% ) of African Caribbean men know that they are at a greater risk of prostate cancer. In a recent UK study only 37% of African Caribbean men had heard of prostate cancer compared to 64% of white men.

The Prostate Cancer Charity is committed to increasing awareness of prostate cancer and the heightened risk among African Caribbean men and women."

The LTB also included Fact Sheet - How is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed. This fact sheet is for anyone who would like to know more about how prostate cancer is diagnosed. It describes the tests used to diagnose prostate cancer and explains what the results may show. It also suggests some questions to ask your specialist team and gives details of where to get more information about the tests. It briefly describes the PSA test.

Download the leaflet from the E-Library Database

Check out these websites for further information and to donate funds:

Prostate Cancer Charity , ORCHID Male Cancers Charity , Cancer Research UK

Source: CWU