Be aware of prostate cancer this March
March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and Hywel Dda Health Board has made a pledge to reduce the number the number of people dying of cancer by 100 a year.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.
More than 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year.
More than 250,000 men are currently living with the disease.
Latest figures show 1783 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer within the South Wales Cancer Network alone in 2010.
Prostate cancer mainly affects men over the age of 50 and the risk does increase with age.
Prostate cancer mainly affects men over the age of 50 and the risk does increase with age.
The average age to be diagnosed with prostate cancer is between 70 and 74 years.
Most prostate cancer is slow-growing to start with and may never cause any symptoms or problems in a man's lifetime.
Most prostate cancer is slow-growing to start with and may never cause any symptoms or problems in a man's lifetime.
However, some men will have symptoms, such as problems urinating; they might be mild and happen over many years.
Mr Sohail Moosa, Head of Urology and Consultant Urologist said: “Especially as you get older and if you have a family history of prostate cancer, it is important to look out for signs that something may have changed with your health.
“You may live with Prostate Cancer for many years with no symptoms and unlike other cancers it can progress very slowly. Prostate cancer does not normally cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to create problems with urination. Symptoms that the cancer is progressing to a potentially more serious stage include a bone and back pain, loss of appetite and weight loss.
“Having these symptoms does not mean you have prostate cancer but it is still important that you seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity to get the right diagnosis and treatment.”
Throughout March, West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group will have information stands at Hywel Dda Health Board’s main hospitals. They are a patient-led group of volunteers working in West and South West Wales, offering support to prostate cancer patients and to their families and friends.
If you want an opportunity to talk to other men who have already been through the experience of investigation, diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer there will be information stands on the following dates please do come along:
Tuesday 5 March - Withybush Hospital (Main Corridor)
Monday 11 March - Prince Philip Hospital (Outpatient Foyer)
Tuesday 19 March – Glangwili Hospital (Outpatient Foyer)
Monday 25 March - Bronglais Hospital (Outpatient Display area)
For more information on Hywel Dda Health Board’s cancer pledge please visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/ten-pledges or to contact the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group on their confidential helpline on 01559 363154 or 01834 831442 and visit www.westwalesprostatecancer.org.uk.
Mr Sohail Moosa, Head of Urology and Consultant Urologist said: “Especially as you get older and if you have a family history of prostate cancer, it is important to look out for signs that something may have changed with your health.
“You may live with Prostate Cancer for many years with no symptoms and unlike other cancers it can progress very slowly. Prostate cancer does not normally cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to create problems with urination. Symptoms that the cancer is progressing to a potentially more serious stage include a bone and back pain, loss of appetite and weight loss.
“Having these symptoms does not mean you have prostate cancer but it is still important that you seek medical advice at the earliest opportunity to get the right diagnosis and treatment.”
Throughout March, West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group will have information stands at Hywel Dda Health Board’s main hospitals. They are a patient-led group of volunteers working in West and South West Wales, offering support to prostate cancer patients and to their families and friends.
If you want an opportunity to talk to other men who have already been through the experience of investigation, diagnosis and treatment for prostate cancer there will be information stands on the following dates please do come along:
Tuesday 5 March - Withybush Hospital (Main Corridor)
Monday 11 March - Prince Philip Hospital (Outpatient Foyer)
Tuesday 19 March – Glangwili Hospital (Outpatient Foyer)
Monday 25 March - Bronglais Hospital (Outpatient Display area)
For more information on Hywel Dda Health Board’s cancer pledge please visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/ten-pledges or to contact the West Wales Prostate Cancer Support Group on their confidential helpline on 01559 363154 or 01834 831442 and visit www.westwalesprostatecancer.org.uk.
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