That can strike with no warning..
80% of irish men show no signs of prostate symptoms study finds
FOUR out of five Irish men with prostate cancer showed no symptoms when they were diagnosed, a survey found.
The Irish Prostate Cancer Outcomes Research – funded by charity Movember – said a fifth of sufferers are under the age of 60.
Around 3,400 men are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year, with one in seven being given the bad news during their lifetime.
If found at an early stage can be treated.
Symptoms include pain when urinating, blood in the urine and trouble going to the bathroom. Consultant urologist at it IPCOR, Dr David Galvin said: “Generally prostate cancer only causes symptoms when it becomes advanced.
“The best chance we have to treat and cure the disease, is to catch the cancer early, before symptoms develop.
“Therefore, we would encourage men from the age of 45 to speak to their doctor about their prostate health.”
The study also found there were significant differences in waiting times for diagnosis between the public and private health systems.
There was a delay in receiving a biopsy in the public health system compared to private.
Private patients were three times more likely to access a MRI scan before the biopsy which would improve diagnosis. And those in the public system had to wait an extra 30 days to get their results.
Data from the study also revealed around 250 men across Ireland were registered in the project as newly-diagnosed.
After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the second most common form of the disease in Irish men.
Those who eat a lot of high-fat dairy produce and red meat are believed to be at a higher risk of developing the disease.
The Movember charity drive came to an end yesterday.
It helps to raise awareness of the disease by men growing mustasches for the month of November. Chief Neil Rooney said it has proved very successful in the decade which it has been running.
He added: “Over the past 10 years, through the support of more than 100,000 Irish men and women, Movember has become the largest non-governmental funder of prostate cancer initiatives in Ireland.
“As we enter the final days of the campaign, the work of IPCOR demonstrates how the funds raised are making a real difference to the lives of men effected by Prostate cancer can be silent killer prostate cancer – informing diagnosis, improving outcomes and enabling a better quality of life. Through continued support we can keep funding innovative research that helps Irish men to live happier, healthier, longer lives.”
While head of research at the Irish Cancer Society, Dr Robert O’connor said the charity is doing “vital” work.
He added: “We are delighted to support Movember and the clinicians at IPCOR on this research.
“Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in Irish men and Movember’s funding of IPCOR is playing a vital role in improving the lives of men across the country.”
Age doctors recommend men should see GP about prostate health