Published on: 2 March 2026
More than 1100 people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire are living with a Prostate cancer diagnosis. In fact, it’s the most common cancer in men, with around 1 in 8 developing it during their lifetime. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms, especially as you get older.
The are three key factors that can determine a higher risk of prostate cancer. They are age, ethnicity, and family history.
You are more likely to be at risk if you are over the age of 50. Black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer, meaning that 1 in 4 will be affected by it in their lifetime. They are often diagnosed at a later stage, too. Men with a family history of the disease, such as a father or brother who has had prostate cancer, are also at greater risk.
Prostate cancer doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms in the early stages. But some changes to look out for include:
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Needing to pass urine more often, especially at night.
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Difficulty starting to urinate, or a weak flow.
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Feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly.
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Blood in your urine or semen.
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In some cases, pain in the back, hips or pelvis.
These symptoms don’t always mean cancer – they can be caused by other prostate conditions too – but it’s important to get them checked. The good news is that it is one of the easier cancers to treat, so the sooner it’s detected, the better the chances of a full recovery.
A quick and easy way to see if you are in an ‘at risk category’ is by using Prostate Cancer UK’s 30 second risk checker here: Check your risk in 30 seconds | Prostate Cancer UK
Dr. Will Taylor, Chieft Medical Officer for NHW Herefordshire and Worcestershire says:
“We know that men aren’t always comfortable talking about health issues, but the best way to reduce the risk of serious illness is to be aware of the signs of prostate cancer and book an appointment with your GP is you have any concerns.
If you find yourself needing to urinate more often, find it difficult to start urinating, blood in the urine or the flow is weaker than usual, then it’s important to get it seek medical advice.
Remember the three key factors that increase your risk, too: age, ethnicity and family history. If you notice any of the symptoms or if you’re in a higher risk group, please don’t put it off.”
