Staff at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are raising awareness of the most common type of cancer in men in the UK for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
To raise awareness of this event, the uro-oncology specialist nurses and Macmillan team at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals have created a dedicated information stand at the main entrance to the Royal Preston Hospital site. The team will be on hand on Tuesday 26th March to speak to visitors and give out more information about prostate cancer.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month takes place throughout March each year and aims to raise awareness of and improve education for prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, so there may not be any signs of the condition for many years. Symptoms may include an increased need to go to the toilet, straining when on the toilet, and a feeling that your bladder may not have fully emptied.
The causes of prostate cancer are largely unknown but certain factors can increase the risk of developing the condition such as being over the age of 50, being of African-Caribbean or African descent, having a father or brother who has been affected by prostate cancer, or being categorised as obese.
Michelle Davis, Macmillan Information and Support Officer at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, said: “The Macmillan Information Support team has displayed posters and information around the hospitals prior to the month to educate men about the symptoms of prostate cancer and how to spot them. We have a large selection of information available on prostate cancer for people to obtain from us throughout the month to increase awareness of the condition and of the support available too.”