Spot the signs

KEN Evans had never even heard of prostate cancer when he was diagnosed. The Southampton pensioner was fortunate that his condition was spotted during tests for a digestive complaint, and was able to have successful surgery.

But Ken's lack of awareness about the disease is not uncommon.

A recent UK poll showed that nearly 80 per cent of men had no idea where their prostate was, what it did, or that it could go wrong - a shocking statistic considering that prostate cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in men.

The disease affects 18,000 new patients every year, accounting for more than 12,000 deaths.

And nowhere is the need for awareness greater than in the South - Hampshire has the highest incident rate of prostate cancer in the UK.

Ken, a retired engineer, went to see his GP after discovering that he was passing the faintest traces of blood in his urine.

Ken, 72, of North Baddesley, said: "It never even occurred to me that I could be at risk.

"It was a shock to find out I had cancer, but I'm a Christian and I put my faith in God. I was knocked sideways by the news but I wasn't flattened by it.

"In a way it was a good thing that I had had digestive problems, because they went through all the tests and found the cancer.

"They spotted it early and that gave me a fair chance."

The operation took place three years ago and Ken is now back to full strength.

Many are not fortunate enough to have their tumours treated at such an early stage. Some men are confused about the symptoms - others are simply dying of embarrassment.

David Rowlands, chairman of the Solent branch of the Prostate Care Support Association (PSA), said: "It is estimated that 40-60 per cent of men will go nearly four years with symptoms before seeking medical intervention - by which time they may have missed the window of opportunity.

"Even men without symptoms, who have a close relative with prostate cancer are at double the normal risk.

"Our main message is that early detection allows a greater choice of treatments and the chance of a cure."

This is the reason for the association's campaign to get a national screening programme for all men over the age of 45.

Campaigners have condemned government funding on prostate cancer research as "derisory", and believe immediate action is needed to combat the problem.

They are calling for the introduction of a simple blood test, called a PSA, costing around £15, to bring men's cancer services in line with breast and cervical screening programmes for women.

Chris Nunn is another Hampshire man who had surgery to remove a cancerous prostate gland.

The 60-year-old, from Warsash, said: "There shouldn't be any sort of competition between men and women for health services.

"Women now have well-established screening programmes, which is right and proper. But men deserve the same level of investment and care."

Chris was 59 when medics first operated on him to remove a bladder tumour. Blood tests revealed there was still a problem and a biopsy of the prostate gland confirmed the doctors' fears.

"When I first found out I had cancer I turned to the PSA and they were really terrific. All of the people I spoke to had had the condition and were able to speak to me about the different treatments available."

SYMPTOMS:

Ask yourself do you often experience these symptoms?

* Frequent need to pass urine, especially at night;

* Strain before flow, then stop and start;

* Slow flow or dribbling;

* Bursting to go;

* Feeling the bladder isn't empty;

* Pain on passing urine;

* Any blood in urine or semen;

* Unexplained urinary infection or pain in the groin; between the scrotum and rectum;

* Constipation or altered bowel habit;

* Impotence, unable to get or maintain an erection;

* Pain or stiffness in the bones or muscles in the lower back, spine or hips.

* For information contact the Solent branch of the PSA on 01243 431589 or call the national PSA Helpline on 0845 6010766