Hospital backs male cancer awareness

A PRIVATE hospital is supporting Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month – by urging men to seek help rather than suffer in silence.
The Spire Cheshire Hospital at Stretton, near Warrington, says early detection and ready access to diagnostic facilities are increasing survival rates but better awareness is needed to encourage men to actively seek help.
Each year, over 37,000 men are diagnosed with testicular or prostate cancer with prostate cancer leading to more than 10,000 deaths annually.
Men are often coerced into going to the doctors by their partners with 80 per cent of all GP appointments made by worried wives or partners who are often more aware of health issues.
Treating cancer can be a race against time and prolonging diagnosis by not talking about it, only harms the chance of a successful outcome.
Dr Jean-Jacques de Gorter, medical director at Spire Healthcare said: “The biggest problem with male cancers, and prostate cancer in particular, is that by the time the first symptoms become apparent, the tumour has usually spread.
“Early detection really does help save lives and it is therefore vitally important for men displaying any symptoms to contact their GP immediately or at least discuss their health concerns with their partners.
“Screening tests are simple, quick and painless. The longer symptoms persist, the more difficult treatment becomes.”
The Everyman Male Cancer Awareness Month not only aims to increase awareness among men as well as women about the symptoms of male cancers, but to also provide funding for vital research and treatments into these cancers. Improved hospital facilities are also contributing to more successful surgical outcomes.