Dr Amir Khan has issued a stark warning to men, urging them not to delay seeking medical advice if they experience symptoms of prostate cancer. Speaking on ITV's This Morning, the doctor addressed the controversy surrounding prostate cancer screening, noting that it has “split a lot of people’s opinions.”
Prostate Cancer: A Serious Condition
Dr Khan explained that prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the UK and leads to 12,000 deaths annually. He highlighted the limitations of the PSA blood test, which measures a protein released by the prostate. While elevated levels can indicate cancer or other prostate conditions, the test is not always accurate.
“The PSA is a protein released by the prostate, and some of it gets into our bloodstream,” Dr Khan said. “With cancer and other prostate conditions, levels can go up. The UK National Screening Committee concluded that it’s not accurate enough to offer to all men because of false positives, false negatives, and the risk of detecting non-aggressive cancers that could lead to unnecessary tests.”
As a result, only men with the BRCA2 gene and a family history of ovarian, prostate, pancreatic, or breast cancer are recommended for screening every two years. Campaigners and charities have expressed disappointment over this decision, but Dr Khan stressed that the guidance is based on evidence.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms
Despite the screening limitations, Dr Khan’s primary message was clear: if you notice any symptoms, see your GP immediately. Symptoms include problems with urination, such as difficulty starting, weak flow, or needing to urinate urgently or frequently.
“If you’re a man who has symptoms of prostate cancer—problems going to the toilet, passing water, struggling, pushing hard—don’t wait for any screening test. Go and see your GP and ask for the blood test,” Dr Khan advised. “We no longer do the finger up the bum test; that put a lot of men off. We just do the blood test now.”
Key Symptoms to Watch For
The NHS lists the following potential signs of prostate cancer:
- Difficulty starting to pee or straining to pee
- Weak urine flow
- “Stop-start” peeing
- Needing to pee urgently or often, or both
- Feeling like you still need to pee after finishing
- Peeing during the night
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood in urine or semen
- Lower back pain and unexplained weight loss (may indicate advanced cancer)
The NHS advises seeing your GP if you are over 50, from a Black ethnic background, have a family history of prostate cancer, or are experiencing any of these symptoms.
