An eighth of all men receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer, which currently claims the lives of one man every 45 minutes; this amounts to over 11,500 lives each year in the UK alone¹. This is why noticing and reacting to the subtle yet lifesaving symptoms of prostate cancer can be so critical.
Patients who survive prostate cancer often admit they were too reluctant to seek medical advice, with some suffering years of pain before openly addressing their erectile or urinary issues with their healthcare provider.
Another commonplace obstacle is the outright rejection or dismissal of the possibility that cancer of any sort could affect us personally; this isn’t because we think we’re invincible of course, but simply because the prospect of prostate cancer can just be too difficult or scary to consider.
Cancer knows no boundaries and it affects celebrities just as easily as the general public. Although these high profile cases can prove beneficial, as they increase cancer awareness and help to diminish reluctance that can hold so many back from seeking advice. Inspiring many to consider their own personal health, one such case attracted the headlines in 2019, when ageing rocker Sir Rod Stewart (of The Faces) declared he was now cancer-free; many were surprised by Stewart’s admission that he’d recently received a diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Stewart commented on his condition during numerous interviews at the time³:
“I’m in the clear, now, simply because I caught it early… Guys, you’ve got to really go to the doctor… If you’re positive, and you work through it and you keep a smile on your face; I’ve worked for two years and I’ve just been happy, and the good Lord looked after me.”
Despite the lack of any single definitive prostate cancer test², Stewart’s condition was identified during a routine visit to his doctor; along with early diagnosis, PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) monitoring was pivotal in winning his two year long fight with the disease.
As well as PSA testing, prostate cancer can also be found during prostate examinations, as well as blood and urine samples which can be ordered by consultants, as required. Although patients can become anxious, these tests can ultimately deliver greater peace of mind and minimise any doubt.
Prostate cancer often remains undetected until the urethra becomes impacted by a significantly oversized prostate; this is when symptoms occur and a patients may experience a greater need to urinate, often with difficulty and sometimes with a sense that the bladder hasn’t emptied entirely.
It’s important to note that prostate cancer isn’t the sole cause of such symptoms; they could also be the result of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) or prostate enlargement, a manageable, non-cancerous condition that isn’t life-threatening and mainly affects men in their fifties.
By publicly addressing his plight, septuagenarian Stewart helped to highlight the fact that early prostate cancer diagnoses can save lives; conversely, it also shows us how simple apprehension could prove fatal and that seemingly insignificant changes in our body function should never be ignored.
¹ Prostate Cancer UK, 27th January 2022. ² NHS (UK) About Prostate Cancer ³ Daily Express (UK), Road Stewart Prostate Cancer Symptoms To Lookout For, 26th November 2021
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