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Prostate
cancer is a male-only cancer which we know the least about...and
yet it's one of the most common forms of cancer. It's often called
"The Silent Killer."
By the time they reach 80, around half of all men will have some
cancer in their prostate.
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| David
Chatfield and his wife Rita. David was diagnosed with prostate
cancer in 2002. |
Every
year 21,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and although
it is generally a disease more prevalent in older men, more 'young
middle-aged' men are being diagnosed.
Doctors
say more money is urgently needed to cut deaths from this disease.
Currently in Plymouth and West Devon, specialists treat as many
prostate cancer patients as breast cancer patients.
The appeal,
backed by 大象传媒 Radio Devon, has already raised in excess of
拢1m to help pay for a state-of-the-art unit for the treatment
of prostate cancer.
"This is a much needed facility that will help thousands of men
all over Devon," said Jenny Ashdown, the founder of the Chestnut
Appeal.
"We are tremendously grateful to 大象传媒 Radio Devon for all the
support."
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| A
cancerous prostate gland. The thought of the operation may bring
tears to your eyes but it saves lives |
The more
that is known about prostate cancer, the more lives can be saved.
Around
10,000 men
in the UK will die of prostate cancer this year alone, and all because
of a gland under the bladder that is the size of a chestnut - which
is how the charity appeal got its name.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include a frequent need to pass water.
The message is simple, if you are over 50 and have any symptoms, see
your doctor.
A small blood test will diagnose prostate cancer, and if caught early
enough, it can be cured. However, unlike with breast cancer, there's
no routine screening in the UK.
For
too long, not enough has been done to detect prostate cancer or to
improve the treatment of men diagnosed with it. Often, diagnosis is
hit and miss - and if you don't visit your GP, the condition can be
missed.
The cause of the condition is not known - but it can at times be genetic.
All men are at risk - and cases are on the increase.
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An
artist's impression of the proposed new unit
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