This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36105272
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Prostate awareness 'dangerously low' in British men | Prostate awareness 'dangerously low' in British men |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| British men are dangerously ignorant of the prostate gland, according to a men's health charity. | British men are dangerously ignorant of the prostate gland, according to a men's health charity. |
| It is crucial for sex as it produces semen and helps with ejaculation. It can also affect urination. | It is crucial for sex as it produces semen and helps with ejaculation. It can also affect urination. |
| But it is also the leading cause of cancer in men, with 40,000 diagnosed each year, Prostate Cancer UK says. | But it is also the leading cause of cancer in men, with 40,000 diagnosed each year, Prostate Cancer UK says. |
| A survey by the charity showed nearly one in five men did not even know they had a prostate and men were "blind" to the risk of cancer. | A survey by the charity showed nearly one in five men did not even know they had a prostate and men were "blind" to the risk of cancer. |
| The gland, which is about the size of a walnut, sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. | The gland, which is about the size of a walnut, sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. |
| It produces the fluid that nourishes sperm. | It produces the fluid that nourishes sperm. |
| The survey of 3,500 men found: | The survey of 3,500 men found: |
| Prostate Cancer UK chief executive Angela Culhane, told the BBC News website: "Men are very ignorant, and it's dangerous because prostate cancer is actually the most common cancer in men. | Prostate Cancer UK chief executive Angela Culhane, told the BBC News website: "Men are very ignorant, and it's dangerous because prostate cancer is actually the most common cancer in men. |
| "The things it does affect - ejaculation and sexual function, urine flow and incontinence - are not regularly talked about over the dinner table or in the pub." | "The things it does affect - ejaculation and sexual function, urine flow and incontinence - are not regularly talked about over the dinner table or in the pub." |
| Nearly 11,000 men die from prostate cancer each year. | |
| It can have few symptoms in the early stages, and because of its location most symptoms are linked to urination: | It can have few symptoms in the early stages, and because of its location most symptoms are linked to urination: |
| Ms Culhane said: "A man in his 30s with none of the risk factors shouldn't be overly worried - but for men at higher risk, they should have a conversation with their GP or one of our specialist nurses. | Ms Culhane said: "A man in his 30s with none of the risk factors shouldn't be overly worried - but for men at higher risk, they should have a conversation with their GP or one of our specialist nurses. |
| "If they have a family history, are black [black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as the overall population] or are over 50, then, generally, they should be thinking about having a conversation. | "If they have a family history, are black [black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer as the overall population] or are over 50, then, generally, they should be thinking about having a conversation. |
| "As a country, we need to wake up and stop men dying needlessly. | "As a country, we need to wake up and stop men dying needlessly. |
| Ignoring prostate cancer won't beat it - only fighting it will." | Ignoring prostate cancer won't beat it - only fighting it will." |
| Former England and Newcastle United footballer Les Ferdinand, who saw his grandfather suffer with the disease at the end of his life, said: "I'm not surprised so many men don't know what their prostate does - it's an easy gland to ignore. | Former England and Newcastle United footballer Les Ferdinand, who saw his grandfather suffer with the disease at the end of his life, said: "I'm not surprised so many men don't know what their prostate does - it's an easy gland to ignore. |
| "In fact, until prostate cancer affected my family, my knowledge of the prostate was pretty slim. | "In fact, until prostate cancer affected my family, my knowledge of the prostate was pretty slim. |
| "Don't ignore the statistics and don't ignore your risk. | "Don't ignore the statistics and don't ignore your risk. |
| "Join the fight to beat the disease." | "Join the fight to beat the disease." |