Prostate cancer kills more people than breast cancer for first time, new figures reveal

Prostate cancer has overtaken breast cancer to become the third deadliest type of the disease in Britain, new research has found.

For the first time, figures show that more men are dying from prostate cancer than women from breast cancer, amid warnings from charities and health campaigners that more investment is needed.

The research, published today by Prostate Cancer UK, reveals that 11,819 men died of prostate cancer in 2015, the equivalent of one every 45 minutes, compared with 11,442 women who died of breast cancer.

To halt the rise, the charity estimates that more than £120m in research funding is needed to make sufficient advances in research, screening and treatment.

Although the mortality rate for breast cancer has continued to fall steadily since the Nineties, the number of men dying from prostate cancer has risen by more than 20 per cent during the same period.

Lung cancer and bowel cancer remain the deadliest cancers in the UK, with more than 50,000 people dying of the diseases annually.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/02/02/prostate-cancer-kills-people-breast-cancer-first-time-new-figures/

That’s odd as it is the type of cancer that is called “slow-growing” and also very curable.
This cancer is so slow-growing, in fact, that Doctors and specialists often advise men to have the “watch and wait” treatment ie blood checks and prostate checks every six months. Many men opt for a prostatectomy and this is supposed to be the near-ultimate cure.

So what’s gone wrong then?

I had a full Prostate removable 13 years ago, unfortunately I left it too late and it has spread around a bit. But i'v had 13 years more than a lot have ! Men, at the slightest problem with urinating get it checked.

Here in Oz, breast cancer is the #4 killer among cancers, just ahead of prostate cancer --  however, more men apparently have prostate cancer than women have breast cancer, but because it is slower-growing many of those men will die from other causes before the cancer reaches terminal stage...


A few of the reasons for men being diagnosed for prostate cancer less often than women being detected for breast cancer, though the presence of the cancer itself being higher, could include :

*  men on the whole, get medical checkups less often than women;

*  many men are more shy about "personal"/senstive/sexual symptoms and problems;

*  digital examinations for prostate problems are more uncomfortable than breast exaninations for women  --  women should compare them more to cervical exam's, instead;

* blood tests for prostate cancer aren't always included in the standard run of tests, so doctors will have to request it as extra; the Oz gov't dropped the Prostate cancer test from its list of subsidised tests a couple of years ago, so uninsured patients here would be paying for it if their GP didn't think to add it on for diagnistic reasons;

*  advertising for breast cancer awareness and fund-raising for research, has led many people to believe that breast cancer is much more prevalent than the reality;  while the "less fashionable" but more common prostate cancer gets left behind..

Absolutely agree with your post Wolf. Good points.

I agree with the points made, prostate is usually slow growing but there can be an aggressive form. I only know this because of relatives and friends who are mainly in the regular check up stage with hormone treatment every 3 months. I have known people who have found out they've got prostate cancer only to be dead within a year. If only every adult could have a full body scan every three years or so. Detecting cancer in the early stages is still the best option. I'll be forever grateful for the screening programme, I had no idea what was lurking in me, only detected by the screening. I would urge eveyone not only to check themselves and report any problems as soon as possible but also to take advantage of any screening programme that you are offered, I know its difficult for a short while, just close your eyes and think of England, Australia or where ever. You end up showing your bits a lot more during treatment and therapy and at the regular check ups after. My group were like aged page three girls, yep we had to have pre op photos done, someone had previously complained about disfigurement and tried to sue the hospital after surgey which probably saved her life.

Men are dying of embarrassment literally.

A blood test can tell if the psi, I think its called, is high, then a finger in the anus to feel for any lumps. This is the bit most men hate, but it could save their lives.

It's difficult for anyone to get checked in regular screening programmes, doctors, nurses and screeners see it all, all the time, the problem is each person doesn't usually display their own bits to people other than their nearsest and dearest, sometimes not even, when you have symptoms it may prove even more difficult, because you don't really want to know, you don;t want the confirmation, men are bad at dicussing things but I think we have to try and think of our bodies as a biological structure we inhabit and not as 'us' we would take care of like our house, car etc. we can't afford to be embarrassed, think of it anyway you that makes you even remotely comfortable but get checked.

There are also many advance warnings of there being something amiss with the prostate; trouble urinating (or emptying the bladder fully)  is a very common early warning as are erection problems and aching testicles (in some).

The blood test is available routinely in the UK once you hit 50 years old. You simply ask your GP for a PSA test.

After the Prostate op you have to be fitted with a condom type of device to your penis that drains urine into a bag strapped to your leg. A young nurse asked me what size "condom" would fit, my Wife was with me so I said "medium". She then proceeded to roll it on my Penis and strap the bag to my leg. My Wife told her hurry, or the medium Condom would have to be changed for the large !

And men do not forget to check your breasts either.

eddie wrote:That’s odd as it is the type of cancer that is called “slow-growing” and also very curable.
This cancer is so slow-growing, in fact, that Doctors and  specialists often advise men to have the “watch and wait” treatment ie blood checks and prostate checks every six months. Many men opt for a prostatectomy and this is supposed to be the near-ultimate cure.

So what’s gone wrong then?

I'd hazard a guess that men ignore the symptoms and won't go and get tested due to the nature of the tests.

Cass wrote:
And men do not forget to check your breasts either.

Women have breasts;  men have "pecs"...

Men can easily check themselves for potential growths, abnormalities and hernias around their pecs, testes, waistline while showering;  and occasionally keep an eye on any suspect moles and spots when towelling off..

Not exactly 'rocket science', is it  ?