Men urged to learn the symptoms during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

The Cancer Council of WA is urging men to visit their doctor and learn the common symptoms of prostate cancer this month.

CCWA Great Southern regional education officer Bruce Beamish said prostate cancer awareness month was the perfect chance for men to learn more about how their bodies might be telling them something is wrong.

He said unlike for breast, bowel and cervical cancer which have screening tests to confirm the presence of cancer prior to symptoms presenting, there is no such test for prostate cancer.

Therefore, it is “vital” to visit a doctor, Aboriginal health care worker or clinic nurse when unusual symptoms present.

“Common symptoms of prostate cancer include waking a lot at night to pee, a sudden or urgent need to pee, problems starting or stopping peeing, needing to pee more often, a slow or weak flow when peeing, or dribbling at the end of peeing,” he said.

“These symptoms can be found in other conditions but if you have had any of these for more than four weeks, or you’ve noticed blood in your pee or semen even just once, tell your doctor, clinic nurse or Aboriginal health worker as soon as possible.

“It doesn’t mean you’ve got prostate cancer — often it turns out to be something far less serious and your doctor may be able to help reduce the annoying symptoms.”

Albany prostate cancer survivor Alan Hortin knows all too well how important it is for men to listen to their bodies.

“‘Get it checked with the local GP,” he said.

“You’re not on your own. If you need assistance, it’s there.”

Mr Beamish said data from 2019 showed that one in eight WA men would be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 75.

“In 2019, there were 2,299 new cases of prostate cancer recorded and 248 deaths,’’ he said.

“In the Great Southern region, 92 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, compared to nine deaths.

“When cancer is found at an earlier stage, there is a better chance of successful treatment, so finding cancer early can make a real difference.”

For details, visit www.findcancerearly.com.au.