Prostate Cancer

 

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men in the UK (not counting non melanoma skin cancer). More than 41,700 men are diagnosed each year. That is almost a quarter of all cancers diagnosed in men. As men get older their prostate gland often enlarges. This is usually not due to cancer but a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia.The symptoms of growths in the prostate are similar whether they are non cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant).

 

Symptoms

 

• Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine

• Passing urine more often than usual, especially at night

• Difficulty passing urine, including straining to pass it or stopping and starting

• A sense of not being able to completely empty the bladder

• Pain when passing urine

• Blood in the urine or semen

 

Screening

 

Screening for prostate cancer is a combination of a blood test for prostate specific antigen (PSA) and a rectal examination to feel the prostate.

 

PSA testing

 

PSA stands for prostate specific antigen. This is a substance made by normal and cancerous prostate cells and released into the bloodstream. The level of PSA in your blood may go up in prostate cancer because more PSA leaks into the bloodstream from the cancerous cells. PSA levels also go up as you get older and if you have a benign (non cancerous) enlarged prostate. So the PSA test is not a specific test for cancer.

Our blood test results are available the same day (for weekday morning appointments), and we are usually able to offer an appointment with a urologist within 24 hours if the level is found to be raised.

 

Rectal Examination

 

By inserting a finger into the rectum your doctor is able to examine the prostate. It is examined for overall size and for any nodules which could be cancerous.

 

Price

£120 includes consultation and PSA blood test (Under the Bonnet Health check)