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What is prostate cancer? Symptoms, causes, tests, and treatments

Seren Morris

Duran Duran’s former guitarist Andy Taylor has been diagnosed with stage four metastatic prostate cancer, the band has revealed.

The group made the announcement in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 5, as they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2022.

Taylor, who was not present for the ceremony, wrote a letter for bandmate Simon LeBon to read out on stage.

“There’s nothing that comes close to such recognition. You can dream about what happened to us but to experience it, on one’s own terms, as mates, was beyond incredible,” Taylor wrote in the letter.

“Many families have experienced the slow burn of this disease and, of course, we are no different, so I speak from the perspective of a family man, but with profound humility to the band, the greatest fans a group could have, and this exceptional accolade.”

Taylor had been due to reunite with his former bandmates – singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor – but they said he had suffered a setback that would not allow him to travel to Los Angeles from his home in Ibiza.

So what is prostate cancer and what should men be on the lookout for? Find out what you need to know below.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system and is located in the pelvis, between the penis and the bladder.

It’s a small gland around the size of a walnut, and its function is to produce a white fluid that partly makes up semen.

Men, trans women, non-binary people who were assigned male at birth, and some intersex people have prostates.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer can develop “when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way,” according to Prostate Cancer UK.

It is the most common cancer in men as one in eight men are diagnosed with it in their lifetime.

In the UK, around 400,000 men are living with prostate cancer or have had prostate cancer.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer typically develops slowly so men might not notice any signs for years.

Symptoms that do appear usually happen when the prostate becomes large enough to impact the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the penis.

These symptoms include:

an increased need to pee straining while you pee a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

These symptoms can also be caused by prostate enlargement but should be checked by a doctor.

What are the causes of prostate cancer?

The causes of prostate cancer are unknown but some men are more at risk than others.

Men are more at risk of developing prostate cancer as they get older, with most cases developing after the age of 50.

According to the NHS, prostate cancer is more common in black men and less common in Asian men.

Additionally, men whose father or brother were affected by prostate cancer are at slightly increased risk themselves.

Obesity may also increase the risk of prostate cancer.

What are the tests for prostate cancer?

While there is no single test for prostate cancer, commonly used tests include blood tests, a physical examination of the prostate, an MRI scan, and a biopsy.

How is prostate cancer treated?

Some people in the early stages of prostate cancer may not get treatment. The NHS says that doctors may suggest either “watchful waiting” or “active surveillance”.

However, prostate cancer can sometimes be cured if treated in the early stages by surgically removing the prostate or radiotherapy, so it is important to persist if you have concerns.

If prostate cancer has been diagnosed at a later stage after it has spread, treatment will focus on prolonging life and relieving symptoms. Stage four cancer means it has metastasised - and has spread further than the prostate into the body. This often means it is terminal.

Treatment options can produce side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary symptoms, so some people may choose to delay treatment until there’s a risk the cancer might spread, according to the NHS.

There are newer treatments available at some hospitals, including high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and cryotherapy, but the long-term effectiveness of these treatments is not known yet.

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2022-11-07T11:09:16.0000000Z

2022-11-07T11:09:16.0000000Z

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/what-is-prostate-cancer-symptoms-causes-tests-and-treatments-b1022307.html