Warning: This article contains discussion of cancer which some readers may find distressing.
Yesterday (23 November), David Cameron shared that he has been treated for prostate cancer.
The former prime minister, 59, had a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test, an MRI scan and then a biopsy which confirmed the diagnosis. And now, Lord Cameron is supporting a call for screening to be offered to high-risk men.
The most common cancer in males in the UK, there are around 55,000 new cases of prostate cancer every year.
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So, it is vital that people are aware of the ‘red flag’ signs and symptoms to know when they need to seek help and see their GP. It’s also worth knowing that most men with early prostate cancer might not be able to tell and that’s why it’s important to know about your risk.
David Cameron’s diagnosis
Cameron revealed in The Times that he was urged to get tested by his wife, Samantha, after they heard Nick Jones speaking about his experience with the cancer on the radio last year.
“You always dread hearing those words,” the former PM said. “And then literally as they’re coming out of the doctor’s mouth you’re thinking, ‘Oh, no, he’s going to say it. He’s going to say it. Oh God, he said it’.”
He added that he doesn’t ‘particularly like’ to discuss his personal, intimate health but feels he ‘ought to’.
“Let’s be honest. Men are not very good at talking about their health. We tend to put things off. We’re embarrassed to talk about something like the prostate, because it’s so intricately connected with sexual health and everything else,” Cameron continued.
“I sort of thought, well, this has happened to you, and you should lend your voice to it.
“I would feel bad if I didn’t come forward and say that I’ve had this experience. I had a scan. It helped me discover something that was wrong. It gave me the chance to deal with it.”
Cameron received focal therapy for treatment, in which electrical pulses target and destroy cancer cells.
‘Red flag’ signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
The most common symptoms of prostate cancer are to do with urination.
But Prostate Cancer UK does point out that if you notice changes in the way you urinate, it can be more likely a sign of a very common non-cancerous problem called an enlarged prostate or another health problem. However, it’s still a good idea to get it checked out as possible signs include:
- A difficulty in starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
- Weak flow when you go
- The feeling as though your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
- Dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- A need to go more often than usual – particularly at night
- A sudden need to urinate – you might even sometimes leak before getting to the loo
The charity adds that those with early prostate cancer will often not have any symptoms because of the way it grows.
“You’ll usually only get early symptoms if the cancer grows near the tube you urinate through (the urethra) and presses against it, changing the way you urinate (wee),” it says.
“But because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part (usually the outer part) of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesn’t often press on the urethra and cause symptoms.”
Always seek advice from a medical professional if you have any concerns or symptoms.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
Prostate Cancer UK offer a live chat with Specialist Nurses online and offer free, confidential information and support on 0800 074 8383 Monday to Friday.
Jess Battison