Men ‘unaware’ of prostate cancer signs

Three-quarters of men are unaware or unsure of the signs of prostate cancer, a survey has found.

Conducted by the male cancer charity Everyman, the study also discovered that one-third of men questioned would be too embarrassed to speak to their male friends about their prostate cancer concerns.

Just one in ten thought that men are as informed about their health as women are.

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK; about 32,000 men are diagnosed each year and one man an hour dies of the disease.

Based on the survey’s findings – which have been released ahead of the male cancer awareness month in June – the charity is now urging men to raise their knowledge about prostate cancer and appealing for more funding to understand and treat the disease.

Understanding the symptoms of the disease is vital as the earlier the disease is caught, the higher the survival rate.

“It is imperative that we bring the disease to the forefront of cancer awareness and research,” said Professor Colin Cooper, head of the Everyman Campaign.

“We need to not only continue to raise awareness but also continue to drive funding into this area. Prostate cancer research is ten years behind research for other major cancers, and this is largely due to lack of funding.”

Sir Terry Wogan has lent his support to the campaign and is urging people to donate money to the charity.

“Much more research is needed to discover the causes of prostate cancer and to find better treatments,” he said.