Cancer appeal urges men to be vigilant

Published on Wednesday 14 May 2008 10:36

A LOTHIANS support group has urged men to check themselves out for prostate cancer as part of an awareness week.

Health chiefs from NHS Lothian are already urging people to do more to protect themselves from the disease.

The Scottish Prostate Cancer Support Groups, which meet in Edinburgh and Livingston, have warned men need to be vigilant against it.

Prostate Cancer is the most common male cancer in the UK with nearly 35,000 men diagnosed with the disease each year.

Around 10,000 men die from Prostate Cancer every year in the UK – the equivalent of more than one man every hour.

Typical symptoms include a reduction in flow or more frequent visits to the toilet, difficulty in starting or straining to pass urine, persistent pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, thighs, ribs or lower back.

Men should also be vigilant if their family has a history of prostate cancer and anyone who is worried should see their GP as soon as possible.