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The 8 red flag signs of prostate cancer… from needing to pee at night to back pain

PROSTATE cancer is one of the biggest killers of men in the UK, with a bloke losing his battle with the disease every 45 minutes.

But despite being the third deadliest form of cancer, it can be beaten if it's caught early.

The prostate sits just between the penis and bladder
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The prostate sits just between the penis and bladderCredit: Getty - Contributor

A recent study found a worrying 60 per cent of British men didn't know what signs and symptoms to look out for when it came to prostate cancer.

With more than 10,000 Brits dying from the disease every year, and one in eight diagnosed in their lifetime, it's vital guys know the facts.

And that's where leading men's health charity, The Movember Foundation come in.

As part of their annual Grow A Mo campaign - urging blokes to sign up and grow a moustache to raise money - the charity is encouraging all men to learn the key signs of prostate and testicular cancer, and raise awareness of mental health problems in a bid to prevent suicide.

The Movember Foundation, which originates from Australia, helps support men who may be struggling with cancer treatment and diagnosis, depression or suicide
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The Movember Foundation, which originates from Australia, helps support men who may be struggling with cancer treatment and diagnosis, depression or suicideCredit: Instagram

Sarah Coghlan, Global Health Promotion Director at the Movember Foundation, said: "Not all men with prostate cancer show clear symptoms until too late so it’s vital all men start talking to their doctor about the pros and cons of having a PSA test when they turn 50 – or at 45 if they’re black or have a family history of the disease.

"An early diagnosis will significantly improve your chances of beating the disease.

"Movember is all about getting men thinking about their health whilst raising funds to stop men dying too young – we encourage everyone to go to to get involved."

Prostate cancer: The 8 signs you need to look out for

  • Trouble starting to pee or a very slow flow
  • Difficulty emptying your bladder or a feeling that your bladder hasn't emptied properly
  • Dribbling after you finish peeing
  • Needing to pee more, especially at night
  • A sudden need to pee, sometimes leaking before getting to the loo
  • Painful or burning urination or ejaculation, blood in the urine or semen
  • Difficulty in having an erection
  • Pressure or pain in the rectum, lower back, hips, pelvis

Unfortunately, in most cases prostate cancer doesn't have any symptoms until the growth is big enough to put pressure on the urethra.

But simply knowing what the red flag signs are could be enough to save your life.

Prostate cancer that is detected early can give you as much as a 98 per cent chance of survival beyond five years, while those cases detected late only see a survival rate of 26 per cent.

What is it?

The prostate is a walnut-size gland that sits around the urethra between a man's penis and bladder
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The prostate is a walnut-size gland that sits around the urethra between a man's penis and bladderCredit: Getty - Contributor

The prostate is a small, reproductive gland that only men have, sitting around the urethra between the penis and the bladder.

Its main function is to produce the fluid which mixes with sperm to create semen.

The disease occurs when some of the cells in the prostate reproduce faster than normal, causing a tumour to develop.

Usually, the tumour grows quite slowly to start with and may never cause any problems - but some men have cancer that is more likely to spread.

If left untreated, these cancer cells may move to other parts of the body, particularly the lymph nodes and bones.

The signs and symptoms to watch out for

Needing to pee more - especially at night - is one of the red-flag signs of the disease
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Needing to pee more - especially at night - is one of the red-flag signs of the diseaseCredit: Alamy

You'll notice most of the warning signs when you're using the toilet.

Having trouble starting to pee, a very slow flow or trouble emptying your bladder could be a sign something is wrong.

If you are noticing you need to go to the toilet suddenly, more often, feel pain when you pee or see any blood in your urine or semen, you should get checked out by a doctor.

Pain in the rectum, lower back, hips or pelvis could also be an indicator you need to get your prostate checked.

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What should you do?

If you notice any of the potential signs of prostate cancer, you should consult your doctor immediately.

Men over 45, those with a family history and black men are at greater risk of the disease, according to the Movember Foundation.

And all men should think about getting a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test done once they turn 50.

The PSA test is a routine blood test, and the primary method for detecting prostate cancer.

But it's important all men discuss with their doctor if this is right for them.

If you're worried you are suffering one or more of these signs, speak to your GP.

  • The Sun is donating 1p to the Movember Foundation for every copy of this paper sold. Please do your bit by donating at 
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