Thankfully, survival rates have also never been higher.
The rates of prostate cancer have climbed to higher than ever before, according to the latest research from the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI).
Its most recent annual report showed that 3,890 cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in 2020.
However, thankfully, due to “increased awareness, early detection and improved treatments” survival rates have never been higher.
Prostate cancer is the number one most common cancer in men in Ireland excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, with one in six men expected to be affected by the disease in their lifetime.
However, when detected early, prostate cancer has very promising five-year survival rates of 92% .
The Marie Keating Foundation’s third annual Stand Up For Your Prostate Campaign supported by Astellas began on Tuesday with the aim of encouraging men to be more open about their health and to speak to their GP about a PSA test when they turn 50, or 45 with a family history of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer survivor and Stand Up For Your Prostate ambassador Raymond Poole said that his cancer diagnosis “impacted almost every aspect” of his life.
Encouraging others to get checked regularly with a PSA test he added, “but, it doesn’t have to when it’s detected early.”
A Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test is a simple blood test which checks the blood for protein markers that can help to indicate issues in the prostate.
Consultant Urologist at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dr David Galvin said that it is recommended that men start having that conversation with their GP around the age of 45.
“The difficult aspect of prostate cancer is that many men don’t experience any symptoms or if they do, the warning signs of prostate cancer can be overlooked or easily dismissed,” he continued.
“Our message this year is a simple one, if you are 50, ask your GP to consider checking your PSA levels,” Urology Nurse Specialist and Director of Nursing Services at the Marie Keating Foundation, Helen Forristal said.
“If you are 45 with a family history of prostate or breast cancer in the family have that conversation. It could save your life.”
Some prostate cancer early warning signs can include:
- frequency passing urine
- getting up a night time to go to the toilet
- pain when passing urine
- difficulty passing urine
- your flow has become weak or intermittent
- blood in your urine or semen at any time that is otherwise unexplained
The campaign’s Little Blue Man emblem pin is being sold to help raise funds for the campaign and is available to buy for just €3 on www.mariekeating.ie.
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