An NHS doctor is warning men to go and get checked out by a GP should they feel pain in their lower back, as it could be a sign of silent killer prostate cancer. Any form of pain or discomfort around the groin may be worrying, and could be a sign of the devastating disease among many other symptoms.
Dr Kishan Vithlani, who is a GP and Medical Director at Qured, explained how seven out of 10 men don't know what to look out for with regards to the form of cancer - while one in every eight men will be diagnosed with it at some point in their life. Testicular cancer is also most common in young men, but 95 per cent of cases are curable if caught early enough.
And while prostate cancer is also more curable when it is treated sooner rather than later, can be much harder to spot, report The Mirror.
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Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer:
- More frequent urination than usual - often during the night
- Needing to rush to the toilet
- Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- Straining or taking a long time while peeing
- Weak flow
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- Blood in urine or blood in semen
Dr Vithlani, explained: "Prostate cancer doesn’t usually show symptoms until the cancer has grown in size, but it’s still worth knowing what to look out for. Unlike testicular cancer, prostate cancer doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on surrounding structures such as the urinary tracts or muscles and bones in the pelvis."
The doctor also explained that men should be checked every two year for the disease by their GP, adding: "The recommended age is 50 and over, but research shows that prostate cancer can happen in men of all ages. So, if you have risk factors such as a family history of cancer, I’d recommend asking for a prostate check routinely, whilst having a general check up by your GP."
While prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men overall, testicular cancer is most common in men in their 20s and early 30s. Dr Vithlani warned that people should see their doctor if they notice a lump on their testicle, if they are swollen, if a person notices a change in shape of their testicles, if one has become bigger than the other, or if they feel aching and discomfort that doesn't go away.
Explaining how to check for these signs, the NHS expert, added: "It’s important to regularly (at least once a month) self-examine for unusual lumps and bumps, which can alert men to testicular cancer early on. To do this, first stand in front of a mirror so you have a clear view of your testicles and will be able to notice if they’re swollen or have changed in size.
"Examine each testicle with both hands. Place the index and middle fingers under the testicle with the thumbs placed on top. Roll the testicle gently between the thumbs and fingers. You shouldn't feel any pain or lumps but it can be normal to have mild discomfort. Don’t panic if one testicle seems slightly larger than the other, as this is perfectly normal.
"There’s also no need to worry if you feel the soft, tube-like structure behind the testicles (called the epididymis). It can be common to get lumps here, which are usually only cysts and are virtually never cancerous, but you should still get it checked out by your doctor."
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