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UK men ignorant about prostate
ShareUK men ignorant about prostate
In the UK alone, 40,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer – and 11,000 die from the disease. In fact, it’s the leading cause of cancer among men in this country.
And yet, many men in Britain are “dangerously ignorant” about the prostate. So says Prostate Cancer UK after conducting its most recent survey.
Alarmingly, the survey revealed that one in five men didn’t even know they had a prostate, and many men were also “blind” to their prostate cancer risk.
So why are men keeping quiet about their prostates?
Angela Culhane, CEO of Prostate Cancer UK, said, “Men are very ignorant about prostate cancer and it's dangerous because it is actually the most common cancer in men.
“The things it does affect - ejaculation and sexual function, urine flow and incontinence - are not regularly talked about over the dinner table or in the pub.”
Incredibly, the survey of almost 2000 men found that:
- 92 percent didn’t know what the prostate did
- 54 percent didn’t know where the prostate was
- 17 percent didn’t know they had a prostate
Culhane continues: "As a country, we need to wake up and stop men dying needlessly. Ignoring prostate cancer won't beat it - only fighting it will."
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It rests just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. As men get older, the gland can grow to the size of a lemon. This can put pressure on the bladder and make urination difficult. This condition is known as ‘benign prostatic hyperplasia’ or BPH. While it’s non-cancerous, it should be checked by a doctor regularly.What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer also stems from gland growth. Its symptoms include frequent urination, especially at night; urgency and difficulty urinating; a weak flow; and feeling like you have a full bladder after urination.If you have these warning signs or other issues, contact a health professional immediately and contact Prostate Cancer UK for more information about the disease.
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