Men from black and ethnic minority communities at 'higher risk' of prostate cancer

The prostate gland sits deep inside the body which is why the cancer can be hard to detect. Credit: ITN

Men from black and ethnic minority communities are at higher risk of getting prostate cancer according to Prostate Cancer UK.

Collie Smith was diagnosed with the disease in 2014 after a routine health check at the age of 50 but suffered no symptoms.

He now hopes men will speak more openly about prostate cancer within their families.

Collie, from Bristol, says he wants men to be better at speaking about intimate health issues in the same way women "may talk about smear tests or check for lumps."

It took two years for Collie to fully recover from having his prostate removed. Credit: ITV West Country

According to Prostate Cancer UK, 1 in 4 black men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives, compared to 1 in 8 other men.

But this is a disease that can affect all men, between 2014 - 2016 more than 34,000 men diedfrom it.

What is the prostate?

It's a gland which sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra in a man's body. It's situated deep inside the body which is why it kills so many men, because it's so hard to detect.

What are the symptoms for Prostate Cancer?

  • Some men have difficulty urinating

  • Pain in back, hips, pelvis

  • Blood in urine

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Unable to get or keep an erection

However, Prostate Cancer UK state that many of the symptoms are usually caused by other things, and to speak to a GP to find out what's causing them.

So why do men from some ethnic groups have a higher risk of getting Prostate Cancer?

This is still not known, but it's something Holly Ni Raghallaigh from Prostate Cancer UK is researching.

Prostate Cancer UK specialist nurses number: 0800 074 8383