Over 12 Million Men Are Confused About The Early Warning Signs For Prostate Cancer
Other findings from the poll show that just 1 in 8 people in Britain know what the prostate gland does, with men no more knowledgeable than women, and 1 in 5 believing that the prostate is located in the testes. Furthermore, there is no widespread understanding that the mortality of men from prostate cancer approaches that of women from breast cancer.
Weatherman Michael Fish said "The forecast is gloomy, with almost four in ten men not having any idea that problems with urinating, for instance frequency, urgency and hesitancy, are possible early warning signs of prostate cancer, and many men are confused. Men have got to learn more so that they can get the treatment they need at the earliest opportunity. It could save their lives."
Michael went on to say "I urge men to find out more about how their bodies work, to take more responsibility for their health and go to see their doctors if something is wrong. You can make a start this week, in Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. Contact the Charity's Helpline (0845-300 8383), for a free booklet on the prostate gland and how to recognise likely problems."
The aim of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week is to raise public awareness of the disease, the availability of free information leaflets from The Prostate Cancer Charity (0845-300 8383) and the support provided by The Prostate Cancer Charity to patients and their families.
Note
The 12.3 million figure is derived from 1991 Government Census figures of the male population in Great Britain aged 15+.
Technical details
The results showing men's low knowledge of important health issues comes in the month in which the All-Party Group of MPs on Men's Health was formed and shows the need for increased campaigning by the Department of Health and charities concerned with men's health issues.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include problems with urinating including:
- Frequency
- Urgency
- Hesitancy
63% of men polled identified these symptoms but many of those who correctly recognise these symptoms also incorrectly believe there are additional symptoms.
Recent campaigns on male cancers have tended to link testicular cancer and prostate cancer and appear to have confused many people. This confusion between prostate and testicular cancer is very worrying.
- Prostate cancer kills over 10,000 men each year in the UK whereas testicular cancer kills around 100 men.
- About 20,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year in the UK whereas 1,800 men are diagnosed with testicular cancer.
- Prostate cancer affects older men, mostly over 60, though there are increased cases of men getting the disease in their early forties and cannot be found by self-examination. Testicular cancer affects young men and can be found by self-examination.
- The five year survival rate for men with prostate cancer is only 49% whilst fortunately testicular cancer can usually be successfully treated.
The Prostate Cancer Charity was founded in 1996 and prides itself on being the only organisation within the United Kingdom to focus on both support and information for prostate cancer patients and their families as well as carrying out scientific work into prostate cancer. We provide patients with free information leaflets to guide them through the disease and can put them in touch with others through our nationwide network of support contacts. We also run a confidential information and helpline service (0845-300 8383) and an award winning website for anybody concerned about the disease.
- The Prostate Cancer Charity
3 Angel Walk, LONDON W6 9HX
General information: 020-8222 7622
Confidential helpline: 0845-300 8383
[email protected]
www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
Technical details
MORI interviewed a quota sample of 1,973 adults aged 15+. Interviews were conducted face-to-face and in home across 189 sampling points throughout Great Britain. Interviews were carried out between 15-20 February 2001. Data have been weighted to the known profile of the British population.
