Over 160,000 men are diagnosed with cancer in the UK every year. If only 3% of those were gay, it suggests that over 4,800 gay men are diagnosed with cancer of some form each year.
Cancer affects all men -
testicular cancer rates in the US, have doubled in white men over the past 40 years and most common in men between ages of 18 and 39; however it responds very well to treatment if found early.
Prostrate cancer is the most common cancer for men in the UK with 2 out of 3 men affected are aged 70 or over; Generally speaking, if you have a relative diagnosed with prostate cancer you are at double the risk of getting the disease yourself, compared to the average man.
If you have a brother with prostate cancer, your risk is higher, at just under 3 times the average risk. Prostrate cancer is more common in black men than it is in white or Asian men.
The key thing is if you're worried go and get it checked out, many cancers can be treated really well if caught early so don't hang about just go and see your GP.
So what is ...?
Testicular Cancer - that's cancer of your balls. It's quite common and affects often young men in their teens and twenties.
The key to this one is catch it early, and the way to do that is to play with your balls a lot, get used to how they feel, run your fingers over them in the shower (it's easier standing up) so you get used to what they feel like and if you feel a lump or are concerned pop down to your GP and have a chat.
Prostate Cancer - the prostate is a gland which sits just inside you arse, you can feel it if you finger yourself as a small walnut shaped lump, and it's the bit of you which helps make the fluid bit of cum.
Prostate cancer normally affects mature guys and can usually be treated easily. The signs to look out for are
Needing to piss often and getting little warning that you need to go.
Finding it hard to start or stop pissing.
Lots of dribbling at the end of a piss.
Finding it a strain to empty your bladder properly.
Leaking or dribbling piss
Sometimes your prostate can get enlarged or inflamed for other reasons and that can give you similar symptoms and you may need a blood test to work out what's going on.
The main thing is ...... if unsure go and see a doctor!
For further information download the
leaflet from Barking and Dagenham PCT click the image above:
External Links:
Cancerbackup, the UK's leading cancer information charity, with over 6,500 pages of up-to-date cancer information, practical advice and support for cancer patients, their families and carers.
Cancer Research, the UK's leading charity dedicated to cancer research. Their websites have a wealth of information about cancer and current research.
Orchid Cancer, exists to save men's lives from testicular, prostate and penile cancers through pioneering research and promoting awareness.
DABDuk, Inspired by the film “Calendar Girls” Daggers Footballers calender (April 2008 - December 2009) strip to raise awareness of testicular cancer and raise funds for charity. In partnership between DABD(uk), Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club (Daggers) and Barking & Dagenham PCT, the Daggers footballers pose in the nude to raise awareness of testicular cancer whilst raising funds for charity.
To buy a calender click here
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