14 October 2023 , 13:00
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Sports presenter Steve Rider has urged men to get checked for prostate cancer after he was diagnosed with the cruel disease eight weeks ago.
The 73-year-old will undergo surgery this weekend (Saturday 14), confessing that he feels “very grateful”. Speaking to BBC Breakfast, he said: "I'm a total convert to getting yourself checked early and getting the diagnosis done early and getting remedial measures in place as soon as possible."
Around 144 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every day in the UK, while an alarming 12,000 Brits are killed by the devastating condition every year. If diagnosed at the earliest stage, almost everyone will survive their prostate cancer for five years or more, notes Cancer Research UK.
While prostate cancer rarely causes obvious symptoms during the early stages, health experts have highlighted a few signs that could signal something is wrong, including painful ejaculation. According to Prostate Cancer News Today, pain during ejaculation is linked to the blockage caused by cancer growth in the prostate.
It adds: “The tumours start to pressure the nearby organs and tissues, causing the pain.” As the disease advances, it can spread to the pelvis, lower back, ribs, or upper thighs, and in the bones of those areas.
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John Hopkins Medicine have highlighted the other symptoms that can present during sex, such as:
Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
Blood in the semen
Decreased volume of ejaculation
It can also cause noticeable changes when you go to the toilet, explains the NHS. These can include:
Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
Needing to rush to the toilet
Difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
Straining or taking a long time while peeing
Weak flow
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Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
If you are experiencing any symptoms listed above, you should visit a GP as soon as possible. The NHS adds: “It's much more likely to be prostate enlargement, but it's important to rule out cancer.
Who’s at risk of prostate cancer?
Mr Petr Holy, leading urologist at Men’s Health Clinic in Kingston, told the Mirror that it’s important to know about your risk, as some people will be more prone to the disease. He said: “Black men, men over 50, or men who have a family history of prostate cancer are more at risk.”
He added: “But there are a few tests to find out if you have an issue with your prostate including a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test, and a digital rectal examination (DRE). Before any of these tests your GP will explain them and it’s up to you whether you have them or not. So there is nothing to fear by making an initial inquiry with your doctor. If these tests show anything unusual, you will be referred to a specialist.”
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. While causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown, certain factors can affect your chances such as a family history of the disease and lifestyle habits.
The urologist has encouraged men to book a health check-up, as around four in 10 cases are diagnosed with the ‘silent killer’ at a later stage. He said: “Getting health check-ups could be a low priority. But in the same way children get into their back-to-school routine, men need to make sure they are routinely checking their health so they don’t miss something important.”