The warning sign to look out for may indicate that you have prostate cancer
- Signs such as going to the toilet more often, pain, burning sensation and blood in the urine
- Men over the age of 50 can request a free PSA test, but the tests are not entirely accurate
Warning signs of prostate cancer are going to the toilet more often, especially at night.
Other symptoms include going to the toilet longer, starting and stopping, pain, a burning sensation and blood in the urine.
Men over age 50 can request a free PSA test, which measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood.
A high reading may be a sign of cancer, but the test is not entirely accurate. Your GP will do other tests before you decide whether you need to see a specialist.
Most men with high levels will then have an MRI scan to give a better indication of whether it is cancer before confirming it with a biopsy.
For many men with prostate cancer, no treatment is needed and it is monitored instead.
Men over 50 can request a free PSA test, which measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood (Stock Image)
But for those who need treatment – for example, if the disease has already spread – this often consists of hormone therapy, radiation and chemotherapy, depending on a person’s diagnosis.
Prostate cancer mainly affects men over the age of 50. Those whose fathers or brothers have had it are two and a half times more likely to be diagnosed.
Men are also at risk if their mother or sister has had breast cancer under the age of 60, because it is caused by the same genes.
Black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer, as are overweight or obese men.