John Leech MP Joins Fight to Raise Awareness of Prostate Cancer

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 19th Mar 2007

John Leech MP Supports Prostate Cancer Awareness Week

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, today joined the fight to raise awareness of prostate cancer - the number one form of cancer diagnosed in men and also a major killer, with over 10,000 men a year dying from the disease.

Speaking at an event organised by the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action to mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, John Leech MP said:

"Prostate cancer has been a taboo subject for too long. As with other cancers, patients who are diagnosed earlier have a greater range of treatment options. That is why it is so important that raise awareness of this major killer. I want to encourage all men in Manchester Withington to be aware of their prostate, what it does and what can go wrong. If they are concerned, they should be seeking help from a healthcare professional."

Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:

· Needing to urinate often, especially at night

· Difficulty in starting to urinate

· Straining to urinate or taking a long time to finish

· Pain when urinating or ejaculating

Other, less common symptoms that may be prostate cancer are:

· Pain in lower back, hips or pelvis

· Blood in the urine (this is unusual)

These symptoms may be indicative of some other condition, and not of prostate cancer. Some men with advanced cancer may have no symptoms at all. However if you are worried about any of these symptoms, you should go and see your doctor.

ENDS

Notes To Editors:

1. The Prostate Cancer Charter for Action is the leading campaigning group on the disease. It is made up of charities, patient groups and professional organisations with an interest in tackling the disease. The signatories are British Association of Urological Nurses, British Association of Urological Surgeons, British Prostate Group, British Urological Foundation, British Uro-oncology Group, Cancer Black Care, Cambridge Cancer Research Fund, Cancer Research UK, Cancer Backup, Help the Aged, Institute of Cancer Research, Macmillan Cancer Support, Men's Health Forum, Men's Health Forum - Scotland, PCaSO Prostate Cancer Network, Pro Cancer Research Fund, Progress, Prostate Cancer Research Centre, Prostate Research Campaign UK, PSA North West, Tenovus, The Orchid Cancer Appeal, The Prostate Cancer Charity, The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation, The Scottish Association of Prostate Cancer Support Groups.

2. 32,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and 10,000 men die as a result of the disease; that's more than one man every hour.

3. Further information about the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action can be found at www.prostatecharter.org.uk

4. More information on prostate cancer can be found at: www.prostate-link.org.uk.