Prostate Cancer Surgeon's Urgent Plea to Men Across the UK
Prostate cancer has now become the most common cancer among men in the United Kingdom, with a staggering over 64,000 new cases diagnosed every single year. It is estimated that more than 540,000 men are currently living with or after a prostate cancer diagnosis, and statistics suggest that one in eight men will receive this diagnosis in their lifetime. Despite these alarming figures and increased public discussion, there remains no national screening programme for routine checks of this pervasive disease.
The Expert's Critical Message for Every Man
Professor Prabhakar Rajan, a distinguished London-based consultant urologist and robotic surgeon at University College London Hospitals and Barts Health, has been on the frontline of combating this increasingly common condition. As a specialist in prostate cancer research and treatment, he reveals there is one crucial piece of knowledge he wishes every man possessed regarding this potentially deadly disease.
"Men need to be able to have an open and honest conversation with their doctor about the PSA test," Professor Rajan emphasised in an interview with The Telegraph. "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."
The PSA test measures levels of prostate-specific antigen in the blood, a protein produced by cells within the prostate gland. Professor Rajan explains that while a raised PSA level can serve as a biological signal for the presence of a tumour, it does not automatically always mean cancer. However, he strongly urges all men to proactively ask their GP for this test, highlighting that raising awareness is vital for individuals to understand their personal risk.
Recognising the Symptoms and Red Flags
The expert outlined several key symptoms that could indicate advanced prostate cancer, which men should be vigilant about:
- Pain in the back, pelvis, or hips
- Unexpected or unexplained weight loss
- Blood present in urine or semen
- Problems achieving or maintaining an erection
Additionally, Professor Rajan notes that while urination problems are common with ageing, men should always consult their GP if they experience:
- Difficulty urinating or a sensation that the bladder is not empty
- A weak flow during urination
- An increased urge to urinate, particularly sudden desperation
- Leakage either before urinating or after emptying the bladder
"Having one or any of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, nor does an absence of symptoms mean you do not have cancer," he clarifies. "Talk to your GP or urologist about it. And don’t worry – they don’t need to stick their finger up your backside to check."
Practical Steps to Lower Prostate Cancer Risk
According to Professor Rajan, men can actively lower their risk of developing prostate cancer by adopting specific lifestyle changes. He recommends:
- Staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a Mediterranean-style diet rich in vegetables (especially tomatoes and broccoli), fruit, whole grains, and fish
- Limiting consumption of red meat and excess dairy products
- Avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol intake
- Ensuring adequate vitamin D levels from sunlight, food, or supplements
Furthermore, the professor highlights that certain foods appear to offer direct protective benefits for the prostate, including green tea, soy foods, turmeric, and pomegranate. By integrating these dietary and lifestyle adjustments, men can take proactive steps towards safeguarding their long-term health and potentially reducing their susceptibility to this widespread cancer.
