A doctor at the forefront of the battle against prostate cancer shared what he thinks all men should know about the condition. Professor Prabhakar Rajan, urologist and robotic surgeon at University College London Hospitals (UCLH) and Barts Health, said there are more than 56,000 new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed annually in Britain, affecting at least one in eight men in their lifetime.
In his text, written for The Telegraph, he shared multiple factors to consider when it comes to prostate cancer, which he called “controversial”, given the National Screening Committee’s recent recommendation not to implement a national screening programme for the disease.
“Currently, any man aged over 50 years can request a test whether or not they have symptoms. This is important because prostate cancer is often symptom-free until it has escaped the prostate, at which point it is harder to treat,” he said, adding that we need to improve GP recordings of risk factors, such as the BRCA genes (also linked to breast and ovarian cancers).
He also named some of the red flags of the advanced condition, including pain around the back, pelvis or in the hips, any surprising weight loss, any blood in your urine or semen, as well as problems getting or maintaining an erection.
“Get enough vitamin D from sunlight, food or supplements. Some foods also appear to directly protect the prostate, including green tea, soy foods, turmeric and pomegranate,” he added.
In addition, he said that surgery might not be the best solution in all cases, and treatment needs to be tailored to the individual patient, depending on their health and the aggressiveness of the cancer. Alternatives to a surgery include active surveillance (where slow-growing cancer is closely monitored, rather than risk immediate treatment), focal therapy and radiotherapy.
Another message of reassurance is not being too anxious if you have a diagnosis, as “the latest advances in robotic surgery mean that the risk of permanent damage is far less than it used to be”.
He said: “As soon as patients hear the word cancer, it can be shocking and many fear the worst. But prostate cancer can be treated successfully, especially if it is caught early. And as doctors, we are more sympathetic to post-treatment outcomes.”
To check for prostate cancer symptoms, visit the NHS website.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
