Giles Coren, the well-known restaurant critic and journalist, is the latest celebrity to share his prostate cancer diagnosis. In a week that saw this type of cancer named as the most commonly diagnosed in England, Giles revealed his own experience with the disease in his column for The Times.
He penned: “How about this for a piece of couldn’t-make-it-up professional timing: in the very week that it was announced on the front page of The Times that prostate cancer is now the commonest cancer in England … I have been diagnosed with it!”
Earlier this week, Prostate Cancer UK highlighted that in 2022 and 2023, diagnoses of the disease had surpassed those of breast cancer. It now ranks as England’s most prevalent cancer.
Data also shows a 25% increase in prostate cancer cases between 2019 and 2023. The charity attributes this to increased awareness of the disease.
They say that has led to more men being diagnosed at an earlier stage. In light of these trends, it’s crucial to be aware of the misconceptions surrounding cancer that can lead to confusion and misinformation.
Now, David James, director of patient projects and influencing at Prostate Cancer Research, has set the record straight on some of the biggest myths. And the first of them surrounds age.
Myth 1: Prostate cancer only affects older men
While prostate cancer typically arises in men aged 50 or older, David stressed that it can develop at any age. “One of the biggest misconceptions about prostate cancer is that many people think it is a disease of just older men, but it doesn’t just affect old men,” he explained.
“There is obviously a link with age. Age is a risk factor, but there are also other significant risk factors, like ethnicity and family history, which put people into high-risk categories.”
The NHS reports that prostate cancer is generally more common in Black men than in Asian men. Family histories, obesity and even diet can worsen your risk too, with evidence suggesting that higher calcium intake is linked to the disease.
Myth 2: There are always symptoms with prostate cancer
Blood in urine or semen, struggling to urinate or peeing more frequently than usual are among several potential signs of prostate cancer. Yet, David highlighted that it’s often a ‘symptomless disease’ in its very early stages.
He explained: “It’s only when it starts to push on the walls of the prostate, or burst out of the prostate, that you really start to kind of get the symptoms that people commonly think about – like frequency of peeing in the night or pain in their lower back.
“These are things that often happen when the prostate cancer is starting to spread or has already spread. You will get symptoms at some point, once it’s spread far enough or grown enough, but very often, in its early stages, it doesn’t have any.”
Myth 3: Prostate cancer is slow and not aggressive
It’s crucial to note that prostate cancer comes in several different forms. Although some types are slower to progress, others may spread faster in a shorter period of time. “Yes there are sort of those slower-growing types, but there are also some very aggressive types of prostate cancer,” David reiterated.
“And often in younger men or men with family history, there is a link to having slightly more aggressive types of prostate cancer. So, for those who have that aggressive disease, it’s even more important to get it caught early when survival rates are much better.”
Myth 4: Prostate cancer treatment needs to start immediately
When restaurant critic Giles was diagnosed with prostate cancer, medical professionals explained there was ‘less than a millimetre in just three of the 21 samples’. This is the ‘lowest possible rating’ for such a tumour, which means no immediate treatment is required, ‘just monitoring’.
David said that Giles’ case is by no means an anomaly. He explained: “Sometimes the best thing to do is just to watch it and monitor it before taking action because it’s not one of those diseases where you need to act immediately.
“Prostate cancer is a bit slower in that respect, even even some of those aggressive types. It’s not like you have to start treatment within a matter of days. You often have a bit more time to think and act in a way that takes into account the pros and cons of different types of treatment and the type of lifestyle you lead or want to lead.”
David explained that many men, or individuals born male, are put on what is known as ‘active surveillance’. This sees the cancer monitored without immediate treatment. It’s recommended for those with low-risk prostate cancer.
“This actually the best treatment option for many men. Delaying or avoiding having to have treatment like radiotherapy or surgery to remove a prostate which comes with side effects is the aim,” David said.
“It allows us to ensure if you do have one of the aggressive types of disease, then we can act. But if you don’t, then let’s be conservative. Let’s monitor it to make sure that if it changes, you know, you get treated.”
Myth 5: There’s a national screening process for prostate cancer
PSA tests determine the level of prostate specific antigen in the blood and are frequently used by the NHS to detect prostate issues. However, these check-ups are not routinely offered within the health service, nor are they offered in a national screening service.
“A lot of people think there is a screening program already in place, which there isn’t,” David said. “What we have is a system called informed choice where, if you’re over a certain age (over 50), you are entitled to a test on the NHS.
“However, there isn’t a system in place (to send out invitations) that screens men for prostate cancer like there is for breast cancer, for example.”
The NHS also explains: “You may be offered a PSA test if a doctor thinks you have symptoms that could be prostate cancer. If you’re having treatment for a prostate condition you may be offered regular PSA tests to check how the treatment is working. Men aged 50 or over can ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they do not have symptoms. Anyone aged 50 or over with a prostate can ask for a PSA test.
“There is a risk a PSA test result may not be accurate, and you may be offered tests and treatment you do not need. You can discuss the benefits and risks of a PSA test with your GP.”
Myth 6: Prostate cancer treatments will end your sex life
Finally, David assured that prostate cancer treatments will not be the be-all and end-all of your sex life. He explained: “Treatments can have an impact on people’s ability to have erections, but this varies. It can come back with time and there are some treatments to help with this.
“We try and make clear that just because you have had treatment, it doesn’t mean that you can’t engage in sexual activities. There are other ways of having sex that don’t just involve penetrative sex, and we try to encourage people to realise that.”
