It’s vital men don’t miss the early signs of prostate cancer - I should know

Reg Kielty learned he was ill during lockdown at the start of the pandemic. Four years on - and following radiotherapy treatment - he has long been back doing what he enjoys most, performing with his band The Truebloods.

The blues and rock group will lead the line-up of a special gig at The Continental pub this Saturday evening (24th August, ticket details below), which Reg hopes will raise not just money for the charity Prostate Cancer UK, but also awareness of a condition that affects an estimated one in eight men at some point during their lives. His experience means he will be singing from the heart when takes to the stage.

He says at the time of his diagnosis, a proper understanding of prostate cancer was “completely beyond me, as I was still trying to come to terms with the shock”.

However, looking back, he now appreciates the importance of a timely diagnosis.

“The key takeaway here is early detection because this will ultimately lead to a better outcome for you and your family. As there is currently no national screening programme for the disease, it is crucial that men take charge of their health and that we support charities like Prostate Cancer UK to lobby for better early diagnosis of this awful disease.

“Most men don’t take much notice until there is a problem with their ‘plumbing’ or ‘waterworks’ - and there is always the shame factor of what the diagnostic tests might entail.

“Urinary problems such as slow flow and having to go for a pee several times a night can be mild and happen over many years and may be a sign of a benign problem rather than prostate cancer, but it’s worth checking if you're over 50 years of age [or] if a history of prostate cancer exists in your family,” Reg says.

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He has nothing but praise for the teams that cared for him at the Royal Preston and Chorley Hospital and who were able to tell him that his cancer had not spread and was “completely treatable”.

“Following consideration of my options I decided to undergo radical radiotherapy at The Rosemere Centre in Preston, completing my treatment in August 2021. Six-monthly blood tests and follow-ups by the oncology department have so far been reassuring - and I have been able to continue with day-to-day life,” Reg adds.

Serena Evans, Head of Events and Community Fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. We are so grateful for the dedication of Reg Kielty and The Truebloods band, along with so many others across the UK, who help Prostate Cancer UK fund lifesaving research to stop this disease damaging the lives of men and their loved ones.

“Everyone who supports Prostate Cancer UK has their own story, some heartbreaking and others heartwarming - but all united with a common aim to see a world where men’s lives are not limited by prostate cancer.”

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CONTINENTAL GIG TICKETS

The Prostate Cancer UK charity gig headlined by The Truebloods is being staged at The Continental on South Meadow Lane in Preston (PR1 8JP) on Saturday 24th August at 7pm. Tickets are available in advance from skiddle.com, priced £12, or are £15 on the door.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE CANCER?

Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms. That’s why it is important to know about your risk.

There are three main prostate cancer risk factors, which are things you can't change. These are:

***getting older – it mainly affects men aged 50 or over;

***having a family history of prostate cancer;

***being Black.

If you do notice changes in the way you urinate, this is more likely to be a sign of a very common non-cancerous problem called an enlarged prostate, or another health problem. But it is still a good idea to get it checked out. Possible symptoms include:

***difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder;

***a weak flow when you urinate;

***a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly;

***dribbling urine after you finish urinating;

***needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night;

***a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.

Men with early prostate cancer will often have no symptoms because of the way the cancer grows. You will usually get early symptoms only if the cancer grows near the tube you urinate through (the urethra) and presses against it, changing the way you urinate. But because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part (usually the outer part) of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesn’t often press on the urethra and cause symptoms.

If prostate cancer breaks out of the prostate (locally advanced prostate cancer) or spreads to other parts of the body (advanced prostate cancer), it can cause other symptoms, including:

***back pain, hip pain or pelvis pain;

***problems getting or keeping an erection:

***blood in the urine or semen;

***unexplained weight loss.

These symptoms can all be caused by other health problems. But it is still a good idea to tell your GP about any symptoms so they can find out what is causing them and make sure you get the right treatment, if you need it.

Source: Prostate Cancer UK (click for more information and support)