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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sara Odeen-Isbister

Prostate cancer chances revealed in quick test - and you may not even know you're at risk

An easy 30-second online test can reveal if you're more likely to develop prostate cancer.

The charity Prostate Cancer UK, which offers the test on its website, said many men risk finding out they have the disease too late as they're unaware it often has no symptoms.

Two-thirds of men wrongly assume they'll notice signs of prostate cancer in its early stages, a survey by the charity revealed.

Around 52,000 men a year in the UK are affected by prostate cancer, which is the most common cancer in men.

Chiara De Biase, of Prostate Cancer UK, said: "What’s really worrying is that this misinformation could stop a man from getting the early diagnosis that could save his life.

Prostate cancer, shown here in a 3D illustration, affects 52,000 men in the UK each year (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

“Men’s health can be a minefield. Everyone has gaps in their knowledge and every one of us probably believes something that just isn’t true.

“Prostate cancer doesn’t usually have any symptoms at all until it’s already spread and become incurable.”

The charity surveyed around 2,000 men across the UK and found almost half (44%) didn't know where the prostate is, and three-quarters (74%) didn't know what it does.

Around 53% believed they would be invited by their GP for testing once they reached an age when they're more at risk.

However, currently there is no national screening programme for the cancer.

Ms De Biase said: “Far too few men know the main factors that put them at risk. That’s why we’re asking every man to take our 30-second online risk checker, to help understand their risk, and what they can do about it.”

Prostate cancer mostly affects men over the age of 50 and the risk increases with age. Around one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease at some point in their lifetime.

Black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are more at risk and should contact their GP from the age of 45.

The charity released the findings of its survey as part of Men's Health Week, which kicks off on June 12. It will be hosting a special webinar on June 13 where you can hear from the organisation's specialist nurses and men living with prostate cancer.

You can take Prostate Cancer UK's risk checker test here.

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