prostate cancer awareness week – 21 to 27 March 2005
are you aware?
Prostate cancer diagnosis has been going up for some time. Since 2003, it has been the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the UK, with over 27,000 new cases each year. The latest information from the Office of National Statistics reveals that one in 11 men has a lifetime risk of developing prostate cancer.
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But only half of us know that prostate cancer is the top male cancer, according to a poll commissioned by the Prostate Cancer Charity. And nearly 90% of people polled don't know what the prostate gland does. This highlights the urgent need for more public awareness.
The aim of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week is to make the most common male cancer common knowledge.
too embarrassed?
A big part of the challenge is overcoming men's embarrassment and unwillingness to talk about problems in the trouser department. Research by Men's Health magazine, carried out for the Institute of Cancer Research, found that over a quarter of men have trouble talking to their doctor about potentially embarrassing problems. Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of the Institute, said, 'There is still a great taboo around prostate and testicular cancers. We want men not to be embarrassed about their bodies, but to go to their GP if they have concerns.'
just ask
Men may find it hard to talk to their doctor, but some seem to feel more comfortable about contacting 'just ask' for advice about sensitive subjects. In the last few years lots of men – and a few women too – have sent us questions about the prostate. Many people were concerned about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis – two conditions of the prostate that can be unpleasant to live with but are not life-threatening. Others were concerned specifically with cancer.
Starting with the most basic question of all, Sam wrote in to ask what prostate cancer is. read more
Robin, aged 59, had a similar question, asking for straightforward information about the disease. read more
Andy was more concerned about the symptoms of prostate cancer. He was experiencing a frequent need to pee during the night but, like so many men, was nervous about going to see his GP. read more
testing and diagnosis
Quite a few visitors to the site were concerned about testing and diagnosis. One of the few women to ask a question about prostate cancer wanted to know if there was a blood test for the disease. read more
Jim knew about the test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is done as part of the diagnostic process, but he wanted to know more about interpreting the results of a test. read more
Michael, 51, was also aware that a blood test was available but was having trouble persuading his doctor to do the test for him. This was a particular worry because there was a history of prostate cancer in his family. read more
causes
Some questioners wanted to know about the causes of prostate cancer. Information about the causes is rather sketchy: genetics appears to have some influence, though perhaps not as much as the effect of diet and lifestyle.
51-year-old Ade was interested in finding out whether there was any connection between benign prostate enlargement and the development of cancerous cells. read more
Colin, aged 47, had an unresolved problem of pain in the pelvis. He thought it might be an ongoing infection of the prostate and wondered if this might make him more likely to develop prostate cancer in the future. read more
One 27-year-old questioner had heard that prostate cancer was caused by too much sex. Fortunately we were able to reassure him. read more
treatment
Perhaps surprisingly, we received only a very small number of questions about treatments for cancer of the prostate.
One man asked not about treatments for cancer, but whether the previous surgical treatment he had for benign prostatic hyperplasia meant that he would still be able to get cancer. read more
Frank, 75, wanted to know more about the relatively new radiotherapy treatment for prostate cancer. read more
a new approach to treatment
In fact, most prostate cancers grow so slowly that treatment is not necessary at all. Unfortunately there is currently no good way of telling the difference between a slow cancer and a fast one that needs radiotherapy, surgery or hormone treatment. This could mean that many men are opting for invasive treatment they may not need.
To try and tackle this problem, The Institute of Cancer Research is running a research project at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey. The research is investigating an approach to prostate cancer called 'active surveillance'. Rather than going straight for a treatment option, men are given a PSA test and a rectal examination at regular intervals. They also have a biopsy (where a small sample of the tissue from the tumour is removed) every two years. If during this time a man's PSA level rises significantly, his prostate cancer will be treated.
The research is led by Dr Chris Parker, who says, 'Active surveillance may spare two thirds of men the side-effects of treatment, without compromising survival.' That's important news for men when you consider that the side-effects can include impotence, incontinence and infertility.
'Active surveillance' might sound just like another way of saying 'watchful waiting', which is the long-standing approach to many cases of early prostate cancer. Watchful waiting involves periodic examinations and tests, with hormone therapy if the cancer appears to be developing. As Chris Parker explains, active surveillance is different: 'Whereas watchful waiting involves relatively lax observation with late, gentle treatment for those who develop symptoms of progressive disease, active surveillance involves close monitoring with early radical treatment for those with signs of progression.'
Over 60 men have joined the study in the last 12 months, the team plan to recruit another 200 over the next few years. Men who have recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and who haven't had any treatment yet and would like to take part in the active surveillance study, can contact Dr Parker on 020 8661 3425 or cparker@icr.ac.uk for more information.
help and info
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organisations
Prostate Cancer Charity
3 Angel Walk
London W6 9HX
Helpline: 0845 300 8383 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
E-mail: info@prostate-cancer.org.uk
Website: www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
Provides support and information for anyone concerned about issues surrounding prostate cancer. Have a telephone helpline and nationwide network of support contacts. Produce a wide selection of literature and carry out research into the causes and treatment of prostate cancer.
Everyman – Action Against Male Cancer
The Institute of Cancer Research
Freepost LON 922
London SW7 3YY
Tel: 0800 731 9468
E-mail: everyman@icr.ac.uk
Website: www.icr.ac.uk/everyman
Everyman is The Institute of Cancer Research's national campaign to raise awareness and fund research for prostate and testicular cancer. Informative factsheets can be found on the website.
PSA (Prostate Cancer Support Association)
BM Box 9434
London WC1N 3XX
Helpline: 0845 60 107 66
Website: www.prostatecancersupport.co.uk
Provides support and information to men with prostate cancer, their wives, partners and families, people who are concerned and those who want to know more.
CancerBACUP
3 Bath Place
Rivington Street
London EC2A 3JR
Helpline: 0808 800 1234 or 020 7739 2280 (Mon-Fri 9am-8pm)
Tel: 020 7696 9003 (Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm)
Website: www.cancerbacup.org.uk
Provides up-to-date information, advice and support to cancer patients, and their families and friends on all aspects of cancer and its treatment, and on the practical and emotional problems of living with the illness. The helpline, above, is staffed by specialist cancer nurses.
websites
NHS Cancer Screening Programmes
www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/prostate
More information about the NHS informed choice programme – Prostate Cancer Risk Management.
Cancer of the Prostate
www.royalmarsden.org.uk/ ...
Informative online booklet on cancer of the prostate, produced by The Royal Marsden Hospital.
NetDoctor: Men's Health
www.netdoctor.co.uk/menshealth/yourequipment/index.shtml
This section of the popular online medical resource has information on the whole range of male health issues including prostate cancer.
Orchid Cancer Appeal
www.orchid-cancer.org.uk
Dedicated to funding research into diagnosis, prevention and treatment of testicular, prostate and penile cancer and to increase public awareness of these previously neglected diseases. Website features information on prostate cancer and the PSA test.
PSA Test
www.psate.st
An information centre for sufferers of prostate cancer, their families, loved ones and friends of prostate cancer sufferers. Information about prostate cancer – particularly the PSA test.
Scottish Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups
www.prostatescot.co.uk
Gives excellent advice about what questions to ask once diagnosed, plus a database of local Scottish support groups.
Prostate Research Campaign UK
www.prostate-research.org.uk
Fighting all prostate diseases through research and information.
reading
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Coping Successfully with Prostate Cancer (Overcoming Common Problems) by Tom Smith (Sheldon Press, 2002) |
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The Prostate Cancer Book: The definitive guide to the causes, symptoms and treatments by Jonathan Waxman (Vermilion, 2000) |
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The Prostate: Small Gland, Big Problem: A guide to the prostate, prostate disorders and their treatments by Roger Kirby (Health Press, 2002) |
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(March 2004, resources updated January 2005)
