IMPORTANT.

Prostate cancer. Just hearing the name can evoke fear, and with good reason. In the UK, it is now the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, surpassing even lung and bowel cancers. Yet, despite the statistics, there’s a persistent reluctance among men to get tested. Why? Perhaps it's because prostate cancer doesn’t often make a dramatic entrance. It's subtle and quiet, and it can be far too late by the time it reveals itself. Four of my close friends have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. One of them was only caught by accident, and this is where it hits home. A friend of mine had a routine check for something else that saved his life, but there is one so fortunate and now, I’m watching him slip away—his diagnosis was terminal. It’s painful, it’s avoidable, and it needs to stop.

This isn't just a story of loss. It’s a plea to anyone reading, that we need to change the way we approach prostate cancer, and the first step is a conversation about the simplest, most accessible, life-saving measure: a blood test. Yes, that’s right. Catching this potentially fatal disease is now as simple as a blood test. It’s called the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test, and it could be the difference between life and death for countless men. But, as with many public health initiatives, awareness is everything. Too many men don’t know this test exists or don’t understand how vital it can be. Too many men, like my friend, are only finding out when it’s too late. In the UK, over 52,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. The numbers are staggering, but what’s more alarming is that prostate cancer is often slow to show symptoms. By the time a man experiences discomfort, trouble urinating, or pelvic pain, the cancer may have spread beyond the prostate. The survival rate for men diagnosed at this later stage drops dramatically, with only 30% surviving for five years once the disease reaches an advanced stage, but here’s the good news: if caught early, prostate cancer is highly treatable. If it’s detected while still confined to the prostate, the five-year survival rate is almost 100%. It’s a simple equation. Early detection equals more lives saved, despite these hopeful statistics, too many men are still reluctant to get tested.

Why are men so hesitant? As a society, we’ve spent years tackling taboos around other forms of cancer—breast cancer, for example—where early detection campaigns have saved countless lives, but for men’s health, and prostate cancer in particular, the stigma persists. Perhaps it’s because prostate cancer has been seen as an "old man’s disease." But this couldn’t be further from the truth. While it’s true that age is a risk factor (most men are diagnosed after the age of 50), younger men are not immune. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and the number rises to one in four if you’re Black or have a family history of the disease.

So why do men avoid testing? There’s no single answer, but I believe part of it is rooted in outdated ideas about masculinity. Men are taught to be tough, to push through discomfort, and to ignore their health until the situation becomes unbearable. It’s not something you can tough out. It’s something you either catch early, or it catches you. Another of my friends went to his GP for a routine check-up in his 30s. He had no symptoms, and no reason to suspect anything was wrong, and suggested he get a PSA test.

?It was purely precautionary. He agreed, not thinking much of it, and a few days later, his results came back: elevated PSA levels. Further tests confirmed it—he had prostate cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early, and after undergoing treatment, he is now cancer-free. That blood test saved his life, but another friend didn’t have the same luck. He wasn’t one for going to the doctor unless something was seriously wrong. When he finally did, complaining of back pain and difficulty urinating, it was too late. The cancer had already spread. It was terminal. He’s fighting bravely, but the prognosis isn’t good. He’s losing this battle, and it’s heartbreaking to witness.

These two stories highlight the stark difference that early detection can make. One life was saved by a simple blood test; the other is slipping away because it wasn’t caught in time. It’s a tragic but powerful reminder that when it comes to prostate cancer, ignorance is not bliss. It’s fatal, but getting tested for prostate cancer is easy. The PSA test is a straightforward blood test that measures the level of prostate-specific antigen in the blood. Elevated levels of PSA can be an early warning sign of prostate cancer, prompting further investigation. The test is quick, non-invasive, and could save your life.

In the UK, men over 50 can request a PSA test from their GP, and in some cases, men over 45 who are at higher risk—such as those with a family history of prostate cancer or Black men—are also eligible for early testing. Despite the simplicity and effectiveness of this test, uptake remains low. Research suggests that fewer than half of eligible men get tested, even when they’re offered the opportunity. If you’re a man over 50, or younger if you’re in a higher-risk category, get tested. Don’t wait for symptoms. Don’t wait until it’s too late. One blood test could save your life.

Prostate cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence, but right now, too many men are losing their lives unnecessarily because they’re not getting tested. I’m losing a friend to this disease, and it’s a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It’s time to break the silence, challenge the stigma, and make prostate cancer testing as normal as any other health check. The power to save lives is in our hands—or rather, in a simple blood test. Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s act now.