In a heartfelt call to action, former Prime Minister David Cameron has urged men to prioritize their health by getting screened for prostate cancer, a disease he personally battled last year. Cameron, now 59, shared that it was his wife Samantha’s insistence that led him to undergo crucial blood tests, ultimately revealing his diagnosis.

The couple, moved by an insightful interview with Soho House founder Nick Jones discussing his own experience with prostate cancer, decided to take proactive steps. As reported by The Sun, this decision proved pivotal for Cameron, who has since successfully undergone treatment and is now cancer-free.

Leveraging his public presence, the former Conservative Party leader is fervently advocating for increased awareness around prostate cancer, an issue that has grown significantly in England. Recent NHS data has shown a worrying trend: prostate cancer has emerged as the most commonly diagnosed cancer, affecting 55,033 men in 2023. In contrast, breast cancer, long considered the most common, saw 47,526 women diagnosed in the same period.

Prostate cancer surges to become most common tumour in England

This rise in prostate cancer cases comes in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic, underscoring the critical need for regular health screenings and early intervention. Despite these stark figures, the NHS has yet to implement widespread screening for prostate cancer, a policy gap that Cameron argues must be addressed to prevent more lives from being lost.

This surge in prostate cancer diagnoses has occurred in the wake of the Covid pandemic, highlighting the importance of regular check-ups and early detection.

Despite these concerning statistics, the NHS does not currently offer blanket screening for prostate cancer – a policy that Lord Cameron believes needs to change in order to save lives.

Under the current system, men who show symptoms of prostate cancer will usually be asked to take a PSA blood test to check for the disease. However, this test is not routinely offered to asymptomatic men.

Those aged 50 or over can request the PSA test from their doctors even in the absence of symptoms, but many men may be unaware of this option or hesitant to ask.

Catching prostate cancer early is crucial

Detecting prostate cancer in its early stages is absolutely vital, as it greatly improves treatment outcomes and chances of survival. This is why it’s essential for men to be aware of the potential warning signs and risk factors for the disease.

The likelihood of developing prostate cancer increases significantly from the age of 50 onwards, putting middle-aged and older men at particular risk.

Shockingly, black men face double the risk compared to other demographics, and are therefore advised to start getting checked from the relatively young age of 45.

Family history also plays a major role, with the threat level doubling for men whose father or brother has previously battled prostate cancer.

Know the key symptoms to watch out for

As prostate cancer grows, it may start to put pressure on the urethra – the tube through which urine passes. This pressure can cause a range of troubling urinary symptoms that men should be aware of, including:

• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• Needing to rush to the toilet
• Difficulty in starting to pee
• Weak flow
• Straining and taking a long time while peeing
• Feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied fully

If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, known as advanced or metastatic prostate cancer, it can cause additional concerning symptoms such as persistent back pain, bone pain that doesn’t improve with rest, unexplained tiredness, and losing weight for no apparent reason.

Speak to your GP about getting tested

Men who are worried about their prostate cancer risk or experiencing potential symptoms should not hesitate to discuss their concerns with their GP.

They may be offered a PSA blood test, which measures the level of prostate specific antigen. This test can help detect issues like an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, and prostate cancer.

While PSA tests aren’t routinely offered by the NHS to men without symptoms, all men aged 50 and over have the right to request one from their doctor if they wish to get checked.

If a doctor suspects a patient may have prostate cancer based on their symptoms, they are likely to offer the PSA test as part of the diagnostic process.

Lifestyle factors may influence prostate cancer risk

Although the exact causes of prostate cancer remain a mystery, recent scientific research has uncovered evidence that obesity may increase the risk of developing the disease, while engaging in regular physical exercise appears to have a protective effect.

“There is strong evidence that being overweight increases the risk of being diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer,” states Prostate Cancer UK. “Keeping active and eating a healthy diet can help you stay a healthy weight, and can improve your health in other ways too.”

While certain prostate cancer risk factors like age, ethnicity, and family history are impossible to change, men do have the power to take control of their lifestyle.

For those who would like support in making healthy lifestyle changes, Prostate Cancer UK advises speaking to your GP or practice nurse to find out about local services that can help.

Check your BMI and waist size to assess health risks

Body Mass Index, or BMI, is a widely used measure to determine whether an individual’s weight falls within a healthy range. For the majority of adults, a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 is considered healthy. A BMI of 25 or above indicates that a person is likely to be overweight or obese, increasing their risk of various health issues.

The NHS provides a useful online tool that men can use to easily calculate their BMI and assess whether their weight is at a healthy level.

Prostate Cancer UK also recommends measuring waist size as another way to check if you are a healthy weight, explaining: “Carrying fat around your stomach can raise your risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health problems.”

Men can measure their waist by wrapping a tape measure around their stomach, positioning it halfway between the top of the hips and the bottom of the ribs. Be sure to breathe out naturally while measuring for accuracy.

The charity advises that if a man’s waist measures 37 inches (94cm) or more, he faces a higher risk of health problems. At 40 inches (102cm) or above, the risk becomes very high and warrants a discussion with your GP about making healthy changes.

By raising awareness about prostate cancer risks, symptoms and testing options, Lord Cameron hopes that more men will be empowered to take control of their health and catch any issues early when treatment is most effective. His bravery in speaking publicly about his own diagnosis will undoubtedly save lives.