Barnsley Council has teamed up with Prostate Cancer UK to help men check their risk simply and quickly.
One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer. It is the most diagnosed cancer in Barnsley, and it has strong genetic links.
To highlight this, local men Anthony and David are sharing their experiences and knowledge on video to help guide more men towards Prostate Cancer UK’s online risk checker.
There are key risk factors which can make it more likely to get prostate cancer, such as age and ethnicity. One factor that can’t be overlooked is family history, as men are 2.5 times more likely to get prostate cancer if their father or brother has been diagnosed with it.
Anthony (pictured with his bike) got himself checked because his father had prostate cancer. He too was diagnosed with it but was quickly treated and made a full recovery.
He said: “Your family history can affect your chances of getting it. It doesn’t matter how fit you are, it can happen to anyone. Get it checked and if you’re in any doubt contact your GP.”
Early prostate cancer doesn’t usually come with any symptoms. That’s why knowing the risk is so important, as the sooner it is caught, the easier it is to treat.
David said: “Early prostate cancer often doesn’t have any symptoms. My advice to men is not to hide behind a stone. Speak about it and certainly be tested. It’s a simple non-invasive test.”
The campaign called ‘It might not be reyt. Get it checked’, is encouraging men’s friends, family members and colleagues to check their risk online too.
Check your risk in seconds with the online checker: www.prostatecanceruk.org/risk-barnsley, and for more information visit: www.barnsley.gov.uk/ProstateCancer
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