Do you need a prostate cancer check?
In a time when we’re all watching out for symptoms, hoping we don’t have Covid19, it’s important we don’t ignore symptoms that could be pointing to something else.
About one in 10 New Zealand men will develop prostate cancer at some stage in their lifetime – and early detection could help save lives.
Each year in New Zealand, approximately 3100 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and approximately 650 men die from the disease. Incidence of prostate cancer appears to be increasing.
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer, and the third most common cause of cancer deaths, among New Zealand men. When found early, sufferers have a better chance of successful treatment.
Only men have a prostate gland, which is a group of cells the size of a walnut near the bladder that help with sperm production. With prostate cancer, the cells in the prostate gland start growing and form lumps, known as tumours.
Prostate cancer mainly affects men over the age of 50, and the risk increases with age. The chance of getting prostate cancer is doubled if your father or brother has had it.
Unlike other cancers, prostate cancer often grows slowly. However, some men can still develop aggressive and potentially life-threatening prostate cancer. These men may benefit from finding the cancer early and having treatment.
Symptoms include problems with peeing, such as leaking; trouble stopping the flow of urine; needing to pee a lot, but nothing, or very little comes out; a weak urine stream; a stream that stops and starts; and getting up to pee more than once a night. Other symptoms could include blood in your urine. However, many men with prostate cancer have no symptoms.
Kupe can help. Kupe is a decision support tool to help you or a whānau member decide if they should get a prostate cancer check.
Named after Kupe, the chief navigator who traversed challenging seas to steer the great migration of Māori to Aotearoa, the name represents successful navigation in challenging circumstances.
This safe, online tool asks simple questions about age, family history and feelings around getting a check.
It provides support and suggests next steps. It helps men, and their whānau, learn about prostate cancer along the way.
Kupe is designed to make the journey easier by allowing individuals to make that decision about getting a prostate check. It helps take away that fear of the unknown and empowers men and their whānau to make decisions that will support them.
❚ To find out if you need to see a doctor about a prostate check, fill out the twominute survey at kupe.net.nz/takingaction