NHS list of prostate cancer symptoms as Sir Chris Hoy announces terminal diagnosis
The earlier prostate cancer is found, the easier it is to treat, so being aware of its symptoms and your own risk factor is essential
by Catherine Addison-Swan · ChronicleLiveOlympian Sir Chris Hoy has announced that his cancer is terminal, confirming he was given a diagnosis last year that he has two to four years left to live.
The 48-year-old cycling champion shared that primary cancer was found in his prostate, which had spread to his bones with incurable tumours found throughout his body. Sir Chris, who has two young children with his wife Sarra, told The Sunday Times: "You remind yourself, aren't I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible."
In the UK, about one in eight men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer in men with around 144 men diagnosed every day. While these figures may be alarming, the earlier prostate cancer is found, the easier it is to treat, so it's vital to be aware of both its symptoms and whether you could be at an increased risk of getting it so you can get checked out if necessary.
NHS symptoms of prostate cancer
The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut located below the bladder, and produces a fluid that helps to make semen. According to the NHS, symptoms of prostate cancer 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
- Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- Blood in urine or blood in semen
Prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra). However, the symptoms listed above do not always mean you have prostate cancer.
Many men's prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement. Nevertheless, it's important to visit a GP if you have any of the symptoms that could be caused by prostate cancer - Prostate Cancer UK has a form that you can fill out to help explain your concerns and get the answers you're looking for from your doctor.
Knowing your risk of getting prostate cancer
Because prostate cancer often does not cause any symptoms for many years, it's important to know about your risk of getting the disease. As Prostate Cancer UK explains, there are some risk factors that may mean you are more likely to get prostate cancer in your lifetime. These are:
- Getting older: Prostate cancer mainly affects men aged 50 or over.
- Having a family history of prostate cancer: You are two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer if your father or brother has had it.
- Being Black: It's not known why, but Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other ethnicities.
While you obviously cannot change any of these factors, it's important to be aware if you have a higher risk of getting prostate cancer so you can speak to your GP and get tested if you need to. Prostate Cancer UK offers a 30-second Risk Checker tool to help you.
In addition, recent research suggests there may be a link between obesity and prostate cancer, and a balanced diet and regular exercise may lower your risk of developing prostate cancer, according to the NHS.
Join our WhatsApp communities
ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities.
We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all!
To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. All you need to do is choose which community you want to join, click on the link and press 'join community'.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the ChronicleLive team.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners.
If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you’re curious, you can read our privacy notice.
Join the ChronicleLive Breaking News and Top Stories community
Join our Court & Crime community
Join the Things to do in Newcastle and the North East community
Join our Northumberland community
Join our County Durham community
Join our Great North Run community