A top medical expert has stepped forward to demystify prostate cancer, addressing the common questions men often feel too awkward or nervous to search for online. This comes as Prostate Cancer UK reports that over 63,000 men are diagnosed with the disease each year, making it the most common cancer in men.
The Questions Men Hesitate to Google
Dr Martin Thornton, Chief Medical Officer at Bluecrest, spoke exclusively to the Mirror, emphasising that while embarrassment is common, early intervention saves lives. "The good news is that when it is found early, treatment is often very successful," he stated. "The challenge is that many men feel too embarrassed to ask the questions they really want answers to."
1. How is prostate cancer actually checked?
The primary step is usually a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test, which measures a protein made by the prostate. The NHS uses this test to detect potential problems, though it is not part of a national screening programme and is offered based on symptoms or risk.
"If the level is raised or if you have symptoms, a doctor may also do a prostate exam," Dr Thornton explained. Should further investigation be needed, an MRI scan or a biopsy might follow. Reassuringly, many men find the initial PSA test results are clear and require no further action.
The prospect of a digital rectal examination (DRE) often causes anxiety, but Dr Thornton was quick to allay fears. "It is usually over in less than ten seconds," he said. During the exam, a doctor uses a gloved finger to feel the prostate for anything unusual. "They give different information and we sometimes do both," he added, noting that a high PSA level does not automatically mean cancer but signals a need for closer scrutiny.
2. When should you consider getting tested?
Prostate cancer can be symptomless in its early stages, but there are key warning signs. The NHS advises men to consult a doctor if they experience:
- Difficulty starting to urinate or straining.
- A weak or stop-start urine flow.
- Needing to urinate urgently or more frequently, especially at night.
- A feeling of not having fully emptied the bladder.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Blood in urine or semen.
- Unexplained lower back pain or weight loss.
Dr Thornton clarified the criteria for testing: "We usually recommend one if your PSA level is higher than expected, if you have symptoms... or if you are in a higher risk group such as Black men or men with a close family history."
He strongly advised that men aged 45 or over should start a conversation with their GP about a PSA test, and those with a family history or of Black ethnicity may need to consider it earlier. "You don’t need symptoms to get tested," he warned, noting many diagnoses occur when it's advanced.
3. What is the biggest mistake men make?
Dr Thornton was unequivocal: the worst approach is ignoring symptoms and delaying a doctor's appointment. Hoping problems will disappear is not a viable health strategy.
"If something feels new or unusual for you, do not sit on it," he urged. "Early and regular assessments are simple and could save your life." The NHS guidance supports this, confirming that men aged 50 or over can request a PSA test from their GP even without symptoms.
Putting embarrassment aside to seek medical advice is a crucial step. With prostate cancer affecting so many, understanding the facts about testing and symptoms is a powerful tool for early detection and successful treatment.
