Most UK men do not know the signs of prostate cancer.
This is according to a survey conducted on behalf of Aviva of 1,000 UK men ahead of men’s health month Movember.
Their research found less than half of men (46%) were either very or somewhat aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer.
While a further quarter (25%) said they knew a couple of symptoms, one in five (20%) said that they did not know any of the symptoms at all.
Not knowing the signs
This lack of awareness was highest in men aged 45-54 years – with a quarter (25%) of men in this age group saying that they were not aware of any of the symptoms of prostate cancer.
Specific incidence rates of prostate cancer rise steeply from around 45-49 years – peaking in the 75-79 age group.
When asked to select symptoms that could relate to prostate cancer men correctly identified blood in urine (35%), needing to urinate more frequently (33%) a weak urine flow (29%), feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully (26%), difficulty in starting to urinate (26%), taking a long time to urinate (23%) and blood in semen (23%).
Over one in five (22%) could not identify any symptoms.
Not checking for other cancers
And when it comes to other types of cancer, over a quarter of men (28%) said that they never check their skin for changes to the shape or size of moles.
Over one in five (21%) said that they never check for other changes to their body – such as lumps or signs of change to their testicles.
Of those who do check for signs of change to their body, fewer than half of men (45%) check themselves at least once a month.
Although this falls further in the older age groups, it actually increases to over half (51%) for men aged 25-34, when testicular cancer incidence rates generally peak.
This age group was also found to check themselves more regularly.
Not wanting to make a fuss
The research also highlighted concerning trends when it comes to seeking medical advice.
While more than half (56%) of men said that they seek medical advice as soon as they feel unwell, three in 10 men (30%) said that they have put off seeking medical treatment in the past year.
Over a third of these (39%) wanted to wait to see if the issue would go away on its own first and around three in 10 (29%) did not want to make a fuss.
Concerning lack of awareness
Dr Doug Wright, medical director at Aviva UK Health, said: “It’s concerning that there seems to be a lack of awareness of the symptoms of prostate cancer, with fewer than half of the men taking part in our survey saying that they have some awareness of the symptoms.
“This lack of awareness peaks at an age when men are most at risk of getting the condition.
“Common symptoms include needing to urinate more frequently – particularly at night, needing to rush to the toilet, a weak flow and blood in the urine or semen.
“If prostate cancer is caught early, the prognosis can be much improved – treatment can be given quicker, helping to reduce the risk of advanced cancer or metastasis – where the cancer spreads to other parts of the body. All these things can help improve survival rates.
“It’s important that we familiarise ourselves with the symptoms and don’t put off seeking medical advice if we have any concerns.”
Find out more about prostate cancer risk Check your risk in 30 seconds | Prostate Cancer UK.