Sir Chris Hoy, an inspiration to so many of us, aged just 48 years old.
Author
- Justin Stebbing
Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University
It’s easy to assume that prostate cancer is a disease that only affects older men. But , including younger and middle-aged men.
Although the average age of , are in men under 55. In fact, doctors have noticed more cases in in recent years. If you’re in your 40s or 50s, it’s worth knowing about the risks and signs of prostate cancer.
When prostate cancer does occur in younger men, it tends to be . If you’re diagnosed at a younger age, there’s a higher chance the cancer might be at a . This means it could be more dangerous than prostate cancer in older men. That’s why it’s crucial to if you can.
There are several that could point to prostate cancer. People affected might notice that they’re going to the bathroom , especially . Some people can have trouble starting or stopping when they pee, or their urine flow might be weak or stop and start.
Some men see or semen. Problems with erections, pain when you pee, or discomfort in your pelvic area are other possible signs.
If you notice any of these, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Remember, these symptoms can be caused by lots of other conditions too, including being part of normal ageing, but it’s always .
Even if you don’t have symptoms, if you’re over 50, or over 45 with prostate cancer in your family, it’s worth having a chat with your doctor about prostate cancer screening. In this case, you might have heard of the . It’s a that can help diagnose prostate problems, including cancer. But it’s not offered as a routine screening test for everyone.
Like a lot of diagnostic tests, the PSA test isn’t perfect. It can miss some cancers, and sometimes it says there might be cancer . This can lead to and more tests. Also, it can’t tell the difference between that might never cause problems and more aggressive ones that need treatment. That’s why doctors suggest discussing it before deciding to have the test.
Sometimes there’s a to prostate cancers in younger people. There are genes that , and the same or increase the risk of other cancers like breast cancer.
If there are lots of men in your family affected by prostate cancer, or or younger people affected, it is worth having genetic tests to understand your own risk.
Sometimes people are even considered for a , which means a removal of one’s prostate, to decrease the risk of cancer . In the future, these genetic tests will happen , which is good news.
Overdiagnosis
One of the tricky things about prostate cancer screening is something called overdiagnosis. Many prostate cancers grow so slowly that they might never cause any problems. But once they’re found, men often want to treat them.
This can lead to side-effects that affect quality of life, even though the cancer itself might . That’s why doctors are careful about how they .
Some suggests that just is better for elderly people, but this really isn’t the case for younger people.
You might be wondering about other tests for prostate cancer. The digital rectal exam, where a doctor checks your prostate with a gloved finger, used to be a common part of screening. These days, it’s not always considered necessary, especially if other tests like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans .
MRI scans where you typically go in a narrow tube are being used more and more to look for prostate cancer. They can help find suspicious areas and guide biopsies if needed.
The first inkling Hoy had that something was wrong was when he developed , meaning the cancer had already spread. We do see this as oncologists, but in most cases, it’s localised to the prostate gland in the pelvis.
If you are diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are an increasing number of . These might include keeping a , surgery to remove the prostate, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or .
We also have targeted drugs taken as tablets now too. The best choice depends on things like your age, how advanced the cancer is, and your overall health.
You might have heard that more men die with prostate cancer than from it. While this is true, it doesn’t mean you should ignore any concerns you have. Early detection and treatment can be crucial, especially for more aggressive cancers.
If you’re worried about any symptoms or about your risk of prostate cancer, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor. Being proactive about your health is important. Remember, many men diagnosed with prostate cancer go on to live long, full lives, especially when it’s caught early.
