'No symptoms for years': Doctor issues prostate cancer alert as disease can kill without warning

"In the UK, prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men," he explained.

The statistics show approximately 395,000 men across Britain are currently fighting the disease, with a further one in eight men expected to face this diagnosis during their lifetime.

For black men, the risk is even greater, Dr Sanghvi noted, highlighting a significant health disparity that deserves more attention.

"Although prostate cancer is very prevalent, survival rates are some of the highest," Dr Sanghvi added.

The 10-year survival rate stands at roughly 80 per cent, which is about 30 per cent better than many other common cancers.

But while these survival statistics underscore the importance of early detection, the challenge is that prostate cancer typically develops without any warning signs.

"Prostate cancer is slow growing and therefore you may not present with any symptoms for years," Dr Sanghvi explained.

He added that when signs do appear, they usually only emerge when the prostate has grown large enough to interfere with urination.

This silent progression makes testing particularly important, yet Britain lacks a routine screening programme for the disease.

"Despite being so common and often being symptomless, for various reasons (such as questions over the reliability of testing) there is currently no prostate screening programme in the UK," Dr Sanghvi explained.

Men aged 50 and over can request blood tests through their GP, while those who are black or have a family history of prostate cancer may access this service from age 45.

Many men avoid prostate checks because they fear uncomfortable examinations, however.

"Men are often squeamish about prostate testing because they think it involves a digital rectal exam," Dr Sanghvi acknowledged. But modern medicine offers alternatives.

Blood tests and MRI scans provide less invasive ways to check for prostate cancer. These options mean men can get tested without the procedure they might be dreading.

Even traditional rectal examinations shouldn't cause undue worry.

"While I understand why rectal examinations can make patients feel embarrassed, I'd like to remind men that they shouldn't be painful and are over very quickly," Dr Sanghvi reassures.

It's worth noting that some prostate cancer treatments can lead to erectile dysfunction, affecting both partners in a relationship.

The NHS outlines various warning signs men should watch for, including difficulty starting urination, weak urine flow, frequent night-time trips to the bathroom, and feeling unable to fully empty the bladder.

More serious symptoms include blood in urine or semen, lower back pain, and unexplained weight loss - these may indicate advanced prostate cancer requiring immediate medical attention.