The Charles effect: Visits to the NHS prostate website soar after the King revealed his diagnosis
- There were 16,410 visits to the NHS prostate explanation page on Wednesday
The king revealing his diagnosis of an enlarged prostate has sparked a wave of questions on the NHS website.
Experts believe Charles’ desire to share his situation will lead to an increase in the number of men with symptoms of the condition seeking help.
As evidence, there were 16,410 visits to the NHS explanation page on Wednesday – equivalent to one every five seconds.
NHS England said this was 11 times more than the 1,414 hits recorded on Tuesday. It is understood Charles, 75, was keen to share his diagnosis to encourage other men who may be experiencing symptoms to get checked in line with health advice.
One in three men over 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, including having to go to the toilet more often.
Experts believe Charles’ desire to share his situation will lead to an increase in the number of men with symptoms of the condition seeking help
One in three men over 50 will have symptoms of an enlarged prostate, including having to go to the toilet more often (Stock Image)
Since 1999, the Mail has been calling for better diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and encouraging men to stop ‘dying of shame’.
We’ve been at the forefront of reporting on promising new treatments, including MRI-guided transurethral ultrasound ablation, which bombards tumors with sound waves and can also be used to treat enlarged prostates. Ian Eardley, national clinical director of NHS England, said the condition becomes more common with age and will affect up to four in five men aged 75.
Asked whether the King’s announcement would lead to more men being checked, Mr Eardley said: ‘If it becomes public knowledge it will lead to more men seeking help. That’s a good thing.’
He said prostate problems traditionally have “the perception that it’s something you don’t want to talk about” and “that being able to talk about it is a good thing.”