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More People Now Die From Prostate Cancer Than Breast Cancer

More People Now Die From Prostate Cancer Than Breast Cancer

Experts are hoping the new figures encourage men to get themselves checked to ensure they don't have the disease

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

People all around the world are familiar with breast cancer. There are projects, events and initiatives throughout the year where everything and everyone is bathed in pink and people raise funds and awareness for the disease.

But new figures have revealed that more people are dying from prostate cancer than the breast disease. Prostate Cancer UK says 11,819 people died from the male-only disease in 2015, compared to 11,442 who were lost to breast cancer.

Most are aware of the Digital Rectal Exam, which involves a finger up the bum so the nurse can feel the prostate for lumps or other abnormalities. Yeah, sure, it might be uncomfortable or, to some, emasculating, but it's a shitload better than cancer.

Another test for the disease is a simple look at your blood, where a doctor will check your Prostate specific antigen levels. The PSA is produced by the prostate, but elevated levels could indicate you have the disease.

But the only way to be 100 percent certain is via a prostate biopsy - which is where a tiny bit of tissue is removed from the organ and tested.

Hopefully these new figures will encourage more blokes to get checked and not put it off for whatever reason.

Sources: Prostate Cancer UK, NHS Choices, Live Science

Featured Image Credit: Prostate Cancer UK

Topics: Men, UK News, News, UK, Disease, Cancer