Former Prime Minister David Cameron has made an impassioned plea for men to get checked for prostate cancer after bravely revealing he was diagnosed with the disease himself last year.
Lord Cameron, 59, discovered he had prostate cancer after his wife Samantha convinced him to get potentially life-saving blood tests. This decision came after the couple listened to an eye-opening interview together with Soho House founder Nick Jones about his own diagnosis battle, The Sun reports.
Now cancer-free following treatment, the former Conservative Party leader is using his platform to raise awareness about this critical men’s health issue.
Prostate cancer surges to become most common tumour in England
In a troubling development, prostate cancer has surged to become the most prevalent type of tumour in England. Alarming NHS figures show that 55,033 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, compared to 47,526 women diagnosed with breast cancer, which is now the second most common cancer.
This surge in prostate cancer diagnoses has occurred in the wake of the Covid pandemic, highlighting the importance of regular check-ups and early detection.
Despite these concerning statistics, the NHS does not currently offer blanket screening for prostate cancer – a policy that Lord Cameron believes needs to change in order to save lives.
Under the current system, men who show symptoms of prostate cancer will usually be asked to take a PSA blood test to check for the disease. However, this test is not routinely offered to asymptomatic men.
Those aged 50 or over can request the PSA test from their doctors even in the absence of symptoms, but many men may be unaware of this option or hesitant to ask.
Catching prostate cancer early is crucial
Detecting prostate cancer in its early stages is absolutely vital, as it greatly improves treatment outcomes and chances of survival. This is why it’s essential for men to be aware of the potential warning signs and risk factors for the disease.
The likelihood of developing prostate cancer increases significantly from the age of 50 onwards, putting middle-aged and older men at particular risk.
Shockingly, black men face double the risk compared to other demographics, and are therefore advised to start getting checked from the relatively young age of 45.
Family history also plays a major role, with the threat level doubling for men whose father or brother has previously battled prostate cancer.
Know the key symptoms to watch out for
As prostate cancer grows, it may start to put pressure on the urethra – the tube through which urine passes. This pressure can cause a range of troubling urinary symptoms that men should be aware of, including:
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee
- Weak flow
- Straining and taking a long time while peeing
- Feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied fully
If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, known as advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, it can cause additional concerning symptoms such as persistent back pain, bone pain that doesn’t improve with rest, unexplained tiredness, and losing weight for no apparent reason.
Speak to your GP about getting tested
Men who are worried about their prostate cancer risk or experiencing potential symptoms should not hesitate to discuss their concerns with their GP.
They may be offered a PSA blood test, which measures the level of prostate specific antigen. This test can help detect issues like an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.
While PSA tests aren’t routinely offered by the NHS to men without symptoms, all men aged 50 and over have the right to request one from their doctor if they wish to get checked.
If a doctor suspects a patient may have prostate cancer based on their symptoms, they are likely to offer the PSA test as part of the diagnostic process.
Lifestyle factors may influence prostate cancer risk
Although the exact causes of prostate cancer remain a mystery, recent scientific research has uncovered evidence that obesity may increase the risk of developing the disease, while engaging in regular physical exercise appears to have a protective effect.
“There is strong evidence that being overweight increases the risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer,” states Prostate Cancer UK. “Keeping active and eating a healthy diet can help you stay a healthy weight, and can improve your health in other ways too.”
While certain prostate cancer risk factors like age, ethnicity, and family history are impossible to change, men do have the power to take control of their lifestyle.
For those who would like support in making healthy lifestyle changes, Prostate Cancer UK advises speaking to your GP or practice nurse to find out about local services that can help.
Check your BMI and waist size to assess health risks
Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a widely used measure to determine whether an individual’s weight falls within a healthy range. For the majority of adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. A BMI of 25 or above indicates that a person is likely to be overweight or obese, increasing their risk of various health issues.
The NHS provides a useful online tool that men can use to easily calculate their BMI and assess whether their weight is at a healthy level.
Prostate Cancer UK also recommends measuring waist size as another way to check if you are a healthy weight, explaining: “Carrying fat around your stomach can raise your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health problems.”
Men can measure their waist by wrapping a tape measure around their stomach, positioning it halfway between the top of the hips and the bottom of the ribs. Be sure to breathe out naturally while measuring for accuracy.
The charity advises that if a man’s waist measures 37 inches (94cm) or more, he faces a higher risk of health problems. At 40 inches (102cm) or above, the risk becomes very high and warrants a discussion with your GP about making healthy changes.
By raising awareness about prostate cancer risks, symptoms and testing options, Lord Cameron hopes that more men will be empowered to take control of their health and catch any issues early when treatment is most effective. His bravery in speaking publicly about his own diagnosis will undoubtedly save lives.
