Prostatic Assessment and Prostate Cancer Screening

Why Worry - Why Wait ?

Thank you for reading this information if you have developed urinary symptoms or are considering prostate cancer screening.

The prostate is a gland surrounding the water pipe (urethra) as it exits the bladder. Its function is to provide nutrient fluids to assist sperm to swim and fertilize the female egg. Unfortunately, in most men, it begins to enlarge after the age of 40 and this may block the urine pipe. In most men this is a “benign” ie non-cancerous, process that causes symptoms such as delay starting to urinate, slowing of the stream and dribbling afterwards. It may also upset the control mechanism of the bladder leading to an increased need to urinate by day (frequency) or night (nocturia), sometimes with a need to rush to the toilet. In most men these symptoms may only interfere to varying degrees with daily life, but in a minority may indicate or lead to severe obstruction and complications such as urine infection, bladder stones or even a sudden blockage – “acute retention” – requiring emergency treatment.

Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in men with approximately 40,000 new cases diagnosed and 11,000 deaths each year in the UK. Nevertheless when caught early, it is eminently curable. Urinary symptoms may therefore indicate a cancerous enlargement, so we strongly recommend expert assessment. However, early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms and hence we offer prostate cancer screening for all men between the ages of 45-75 and recommend it from the age of 40 for men with a family history of an immediate blood relative developing prostate cancer in middle age, a strong history of breast cancer on the mother’s side and Afro-Caribbean men who are racially more at risk than white males.

Our assessments take 20-30 minutes and involve taking a medical history, an examination, urine and blood tests. You will be asked to arrive with a full bladder to measure a urine “flow rate” (in private!).

From these tests we can offer advice on the likelihood of prostate cancer, the severity of any bladder obstruction and the need for any further tests. We can also start medical treatment for many uncomplicated cases of benign prostatic obstruction.

For some patients who may actually require surgery, we work with surgeons who are able to offer a specialist prostate service utilising the most modern surgical and laser techniques. Consequently we can offer treatment options suitable for all patients and all medical situations. Our aim is to offer a one-stop style service whenever possible from a locally accessible clinic or GP surgery near your home and because we work as a multi-disciplinary team, we can do so at significantly reduced cost.

If you would like any further advice or an appointment, please do not hesitate to
contact us.

Prostatic Assessment - Fee Levels >>