This Men’s Health Month, we spoke to our Associate Medical Director Dr Thomas Gillham about the importance of seeing your GP promptly if you have any concerns about prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. 1 in 8 will be diagnosed in their lifetime and over 50,000 new cases occur each year. Risk increases with age (especially over 50), family history, and Black ethnicity.
Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms; however, if you notice urinary changes such as a delay in starting to pee, a weaker stream, new problems with erections, or blood in your wee, it’s still important to get checked – these are more likely to be benign, but your GP will be glad to advise.
As a GP and Associate Medical Director at The Lister Hospital, I want to stress the importance of seeing your GP promptly if you have any concerns about prostate cancer – and that you usually don’t need to worry about the digital rectal examination (DRE).
Some men delay visiting the GP because they fear the “finger in the bum”, but the digital rectal exam is not routinely required. Indeed, the British Journal of General Practice and Prostate Cancer UK agree that DRE alone is a poor screening tool and isn’t usually necessary before PSA blood testing or referral.
Guidelines for GPs now recommend starting with a PSA blood test, followed by a painless MRI scan if needed. So in most cases, you’ll have a simple blood test, not a DRE.
PSA testing is more accurate when combined with MRI scans and targeted biopsy. These newer approaches have significantly improved detection accuracy and reduced unnecessary extra biopsies. Early detection means more straightforward treatment and better chances of cure.
If you’re over 50, or over 45 with a family history (dad, uncle or brother who has had prostate cancer) or you’re Black, and you have concerns – even without symptoms – please talk to your GP. We will sensitively assess your individual risk, discuss PSA testing, and put your mind at ease about what happens next. Your wellbeing is our priority: early assessment is simple, safe, and often avoids invasive tests. So please don’t delay – see your GP early: we are here to listen, and help.
