Latest news with #ProstateCancerResearch
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Rishi Sunak calls for national prostate cancer screening
Prostate cancer screening must be rolled out nationally, Rishi Sunak has urged. In his first major intervention since standing down as prime minister, Mr Sunak calls for targeted screening, so those with higher risk of the disease such as those with a family history of it undergo checks. The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) is currently considering whether to roll out screening. Experts believe there is a growing case for targeted screening, meaning that PSA blood tests would be offered to those at heightened risk of the disease. Writing for The Telegraph, Mr Sunak urges the UK NSC to make the leap – and to do so 'without delay'. In the meantime, he urges all men to use Father's Day this Sunday as an opportunity to talk to their fathers about their health. The MP, who recently became an ambassador for charity Prostate Cancer Research, writes: 'On Father's Day, many of us will call our dads for a chat. We'll discuss many things: the news, sport, the family. But few of us will touch on our health. 'For we men aren't very good at addressing that: I am the son of a GP but even me and my dad don't talk enough about health. In fact he's had a test, but it took him a while to get round to it. It's not that the topic is taboo, more that it never seems quite the right moment to ask a delicate question. 'But talking about health with your dad, and particularly the misconceptions around prostate cancer, could save their life. It is one of the best things you could do this Father's Day, and a true act of love'. Although one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetimes, polling has found only 7 per cent of men know that the disease is symptomless in its early stages. Mr Sunak warns too many men were leaving it 'dangerously late' to seek help, only coming forward when symptoms such as pain or blood in urine began to show. 'Ignorance is costing lives' He says: 'The cancer will almost certainly be advanced at this point, and treatment far less certain to succeed. This ignorance is costing lives. It is why we need a targeted national screening programme to make sure that the right men are being checked at the right time for the disease. If we can make this happen, we can save thousands of lives.' Mr Sunak adds that since becoming an ambassador for the charity: 'What has really struck me in this time is how alien it is for men to proactively ask to be checked for a disease. Our assumption is that if everything is working fine, it is fine. 'When I raise prostate cancer and the need to get checked, men regularly tell me that everything is functioning down there, so they don't need a test. But that is not right: and this confusion is costing lives.' The UK NSC is expected to make a decision by the end of this year. Its members are considering different models, with discussions about the definition of close relatives if a family history becomes part of the criteria for targeted screening. As well as family history, risk factors also include ethnic group – with one in four black men diagnosed with the disease. Many experts in prostate cancer are calling for the 'dangerous' guidelines to be changed, so that younger men with a family history of prostate cancer such as Sir Chris Hoy can be tested for the disease. The 49-year-old, who is a six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist, was told he has two to four years to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer that originated in his prostate. Despite a family history of prostate cancer – which affected both his father and grandfather – he was never offered PSA tests. In the UK prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with over 55,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Cases have risen by one quarter in the last five years. Despite improvements in survival, over 12,000 men die from prostate cancer each year. If prostate cancer is caught early, the chances of successful treatment are far higher. If it is detected after the disease has spread, the success rate of treatment is below 50 per cent. Mr Sunak salutes the work of men who have spoken out about the need to get checked, saying his friend Joe Biden's diagnosis would also raise awareness. Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said the rollout of targeted screening would prevent 300 men a year from developing incurable disease. He said: 'Every 40 minutes in the UK, a family loses a father, a grandfather, or a son to prostate cancer. This is a tragedy compounded by a postcode lottery that means a man's chances of survival can depend on where he lives. 'The current passive system, where men must know their own risk and ask for a test, is failing us and worsening health inequality across the UK. That is why Prostate Cancer Research is calling for the urgent introduction of a targeted national screening programme for men at the highest risk, including black men and those with a family history of the disease'.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
The one thing you must discuss with your dad on Father's Day
On Father's Day, many of us will call our Dads for a chat. We'll discuss many things: the news, sport, the family. But few of us will touch on our health. For we men aren't very good at addressing that: I am the son of a GP but even my dad and I don't talk enough about health. In fact he's had a prostate cancer test, but it took him a while to get around to it. It's not that the topic is taboo, more that it never seems quite the right moment to ask a delicate question. But talking about health with your dad, and particularly the misconceptions around prostate cancer, could save their life. It is one of the best things you could do this Father's Day, and a true act of love. I have been an ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research for three months now, and what has really struck me in this time is how alien it is for men to proactively ask to be checked for a disease. Our assumption is that if everything is working fine, it is fine. I've been talking to men about the disease in Yorkshire, in London, in Southampton and it's worrying how many misconceptions there are about Britain's most common cancer. When I raise prostate cancer and the need to get checked, men regularly tell me that everything is functioning down there, so they don't need a test. But that is not right: and this confusion is costing lives. An Ipsos poll found that just 7 per cent of people know that prostate cancer – which one in eight men will be diagnosed with during their lifetime – is symptomless in the early stages. If you wait to take action until you are in pain, there's blood in your urine or you are having trouble peeing, you will have left it dangerously late. The cancer will almost certainly be advanced at this point, and treatment far less certain to succeed. This ignorance is costing lives. It is why we need a targeted national screening programme to make sure that the right men are being checked at the right time for the disease. If we can make this happen, we can save thousands of lives. So, this Father's Day, talk through with your dad the risk factors for prostate cancer. Does he have a close relative who has had the disease? If so, he's more at risk and should make getting checked a priority. Are you black? If so, your risk is significantly higher – one in four black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The benefit of getting checked is that if the disease is caught early, it can be treated relatively easily and with a high success rate. But if it is caught after the cancer has spread then that makes treatment far harder and is bad news for survival chances. Once the cancer has spread, the success rate of treatment is below 50 per cent. Thanks to the work of charities such as Prostate Cancer Research and the bravery of individuals hit by the diseases who have spoken out about the need to get checked, people are far more aware of prostate cancer than they were. I know my friend President Biden's fight against the disease will raise awareness too. I also salute the thousands who will join the March for Men in Battersea Park today. But despite all this work, too few people know that prostate cancer is generally symptomless in the early stages. I've even heard from consultants treating patients who were initially denied a PSA screening test on the basis that they had no symptoms. The National Screening Committee will decide later this year whether to introduce a targeted national screening programme. I would urge them to commit to this without delay. It is a move that will save lives and with the number of prostate cancer cases having increased by 25 per cent in the past five years, the problem is too urgent to wait any longer. We need a screening programme for the UK's most common cancer now. Rishi Sunak is the MP for Richmond and Northallerton and the former prime minister Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
13-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The one thing you must discuss with your dad on Father's Day
On Father's Day, many of us will call our Dads for a chat. We'll discuss many things: the news, sport, the family. But few of us will touch on our health. For we men aren't very good at addressing that: I am the son of a GP but even my dad and I don't talk enough about health. In fact he's had a prostate cancer test, but it took him a while to get around to it. It's not that the topic is taboo, more that it never seems quite the right moment to ask a delicate question. But talking about health with your dad, and particularly the misconceptions around prostate cancer, could save their life. It is one of the best things you could do this Father's Day, and a true act of love. I have been an ambassador for Prostate Cancer Research for three months now, and what has really struck me in this time is how alien it is for men to proactively ask to be checked for a disease. Our assumption is that if everything is working fine, it is fine. I've been talking to men about the disease in Yorkshire, in London, in Southampton and it's worrying how many misconceptions there are about Britain's most common cancer. When I raise prostate cancer and the need to get checked, men regularly tell me that everything is functioning down there, so they don't need a test. But that is not right: and this confusion is costing lives. An Ipsos poll found that just 7 per cent of people know that prostate cancer – which one in eight men will be diagnosed with during their lifetime – is symptomless in the early stages. If you wait to take action until you are in pain, there's blood in your urine or you are having trouble peeing, you will have left it dangerously late. The cancer will almost certainly be advanced at this point, and treatment far less certain to succeed. This ignorance is costing lives. It is why we need a targeted national screening programme to make sure that the right men are being checked at the right time for the disease. If we can make this happen, we can save thousands of lives. So, this Father's Day, talk through with your dad the risk factors for prostate cancer. Does he have a close relative who has had the disease? If so, he's more at risk and should make getting checked a priority. Are you black? If so, your risk is significantly higher – one in four black men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. The benefit of getting checked is that if the disease is caught early, it can be treated relatively easily and with a high success rate. But if it is caught after the cancer has spread then that makes treatment far harder and is bad news for survival chances. Once the cancer has spread, the success rate of treatment is below 50 per cent. Thanks to the work of charities such as Prostate Cancer Research and the bravery of individuals hit by the diseases who have spoken out about the need to get checked, people are far more aware of prostate cancer than they were. I know my friend President Biden's fight against the disease will raise awareness too. I also salute the thousands who will join the March for Men in Battersea Park today. But despite all this work, too few people know that prostate cancer is generally symptomless in the early stages. I've even heard from consultants treating patients who were initially denied a PSA screening test on the basis that they had no symptoms. The National Screening Committee will decide later this year whether to introduce a targeted national screening programme. I would urge them to commit to this without delay. It is a move that will save lives and with the number of prostate cancer cases having increased by 25 per cent in the past five years, the problem is too urgent to wait any longer. We need a screening programme for the UK's most common cancer now.
Economic Times
19-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer: Five myths debunked after former US President's 'aggressive' diagnosis
Reuters The 82-year-old leader's son, Beau Biden, also died of cancer in 2015 Former US President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer that has a five-year survival rate of between 30% and 40%. The prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, the Democrat's office announced on press statement said the Democratic leader was diagnosed with the disease after he experienced urinary symptoms, and a prostate nodule was found. Now, the Biden family is reviewing options for possible treatment plans."While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians," the statement said. The 82-year-old leader's son, Beau Biden, also died of cancer in 2015. According to the statement, Biden's cancer was found to have "a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5)." ALSO READ: Trump's 'one big, beautiful bill' offers $1k for newborns, immigration and tax cuts: 10-point explainer "While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management." The American Cancer Society suggests that around one in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Given the rising awareness around prostate cancer, it's crucial to address widespread misconceptions. David James, Director of Patient Projects and Influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, spoke with Surrey Live to clarify five persistent myths about the 1: Only older men get prostate cancerWhile it's true that prostate cancer is more common in men over 50, it can occur at any age. "Many believe it's a disease exclusive to older men, but that's simply not the case," David explained. Although age is a known risk factor, other elements—such as ethnicity and family history—also significantly influence risk. According to NHS guidance, Black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than Asian men. Additional risks include obesity, dietary factors, and high calcium intake, reports The Mirror. Myth 2: There are always clear symptoms Symptoms like difficulty urinating or blood in the urine may be linked to prostate cancer, but early stages are often symptomless. "Symptoms typically emerge only when the cancer has grown large enough to affect surrounding tissue or spread," said David. Early detection can be challenging, making regular screening especially important for high-risk groups, the report mentioned. ALSO READ: FBI chief Kash Patel, accused of spending more time at nightclubs than office, makes big announcement Myth 3: Prostate cancer is always slow-growing Not all prostate cancers develop slowly. The disease's severity is measured using the Gleason score, which ranges from 2 to 10. A higher score indicates a more aggressive cancer. "While many cases are slow-growing, some can be very aggressive—particularly in younger men or those with a family history," David noted. For these patients, early diagnosis is critical for improving survival outcomes. Myth 4: Immediate treatment is always necessary Treatment approaches vary depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer. In some early-stage cases, active monitoring—known as 'active surveillance'—may be the best course of action. "Prostate cancer often progresses slowly, even the more aggressive types. That gives patients time to consider options carefully," David explained. Avoiding or delaying treatment can also help reduce side effects from surgery or radiotherapy. ALSO READ: Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sánchez's wedding cost, guest list revealed: The numbers will take you by surprise Myth 5: Treatment means the end of your sex life David emphasized that a prostate cancer diagnosis doesn't necessarily mean the end of sexual activity. While some treatments may affect sexual function, recovery is possible—and support is available. "We encourage people to understand that sex isn't just about penetration. Many regain function, and there are treatments that can help," he added.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Biden diagnosed with prostate cancer: Five myths debunked after former US President's 'aggressive' diagnosis
Former US President Joe Biden was diagnosed with an 'aggressive form' of prostate cancer that has a five-year survival rate of between 30% and 40%. The prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, the Democrat's office announced on Sunday. The press statement said the Democratic leader was diagnosed with the disease after he experienced urinary symptoms, and a prostate nodule was found. Now, the Biden family is reviewing options for possible treatment plans. "While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management. The President and his family are reviewing treatment options with his physicians," the statement said. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by The 82-year-old leader's son, Beau Biden, also died of cancer in 2015. According to the statement, Biden's cancer was found to have "a Gleason score of 9 (Grade Group 5)." ALSO READ: Trump's 'one big, beautiful bill' offers $1k for newborns, immigration and tax cuts: 10-point explainer Live Events "While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive, which allows for effective management." The American Cancer Society suggests that around one in every eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime. Given the rising awareness around prostate cancer, it's crucial to address widespread misconceptions. David James, Director of Patient Projects and Influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, spoke with Surrey Live to clarify five persistent myths about the disease. Myths about prostate cancer: Myth 1: Only older men get prostate cancer While it's true that prostate cancer is more common in men over 50, it can occur at any age. "Many believe it's a disease exclusive to older men, but that's simply not the case," David explained. Although age is a known risk factor, other elements—such as ethnicity and family history—also significantly influence risk. According to NHS guidance, Black men are more likely to develop prostate cancer than Asian men. Additional risks include obesity, dietary factors, and high calcium intake, reports The Mirror. Myth 2: There are always clear symptoms Symptoms like difficulty urinating or blood in the urine may be linked to prostate cancer, but early stages are often symptomless. "Symptoms typically emerge only when the cancer has grown large enough to affect surrounding tissue or spread," said David. Early detection can be challenging, making regular screening especially important for high-risk groups, the report mentioned. ALSO READ: FBI chief Kash Patel, accused of spending more time at nightclubs than office, makes big announcement Myth 3: Prostate cancer is always slow-growing Not all prostate cancers develop slowly. The disease's severity is measured using the Gleason score, which ranges from 2 to 10. A higher score indicates a more aggressive cancer. "While many cases are slow-growing, some can be very aggressive—particularly in younger men or those with a family history," David noted. For these patients, early diagnosis is critical for improving survival outcomes. Myth 4: Immediate treatment is always necessary Treatment approaches vary depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer. In some early-stage cases, active monitoring—known as 'active surveillance'—may be the best course of action. "Prostate cancer often progresses slowly, even the more aggressive types. That gives patients time to consider options carefully," David explained. Avoiding or delaying treatment can also help reduce side effects from surgery or radiotherapy. ALSO READ: Jeff Bezos-Lauren Sánchez's wedding cost, guest list revealed: The numbers will take you by surprise Myth 5: Treatment means the end of your sex life David emphasized that a prostate cancer diagnosis doesn't necessarily mean the end of sexual activity. While some treatments may affect sexual function, recovery is possible—and support is available. "We encourage people to understand that sex isn't just about penetration. Many regain function, and there are treatments that can help," he added.
