There is no prevention and there are no obvious symptoms of the disease - but early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment of what's been coined "the silent killer". BBC Radio Bristol has launched a month-long campaign to promote awareness of the illness. The drive has been inspired by the news that Wurzels front man Tommy Banner has undergone surgery in Bristol after being diagnosed with the illness in October. "It was a big shock, simply because I've never been ill. I had no symptoms and went for the test to pacify my mate Vic," said Tommy, who is backing the Radio Bristol campaign. "I'm going to have the operation and get it removed. I've got to be honest, when I had the blood test I found out where the prostate was. I'd not a clue what it was - or where it was." | "More needs to be done to fund research and raise awareness amongst men about the disease as there has been for breast and bowel cancer." | | David Gillet |
The BBC Radio Bristol breakfast show presenter, Nigel Dando, along with sports editor Geoff Twentyman and newsreader Norman Rickard, will themselves be tested at Southmead Hospital's Prostate Cancer Centre. "Victims often don't realise they've developed the disease until sadly it's too late," said Nigel Dando. "I think it's important to be aware of the symptoms and to understand the approaches to prevention. Being of an age when I could be vulnerable to prostate cancer I had no hesitation in agreeing to the test. Better safe than sorry." A small blood test will diagnose prostate cancer, and if caught early enough, it can be cured. However, unlike with breast cancer, there's no routine screening in the UK. The cause of the condition is not known - but it can at times be genetic. All men are at risk - and cases are on the increase. David Gillet, the lead urologist at Southmead Hospital, said: "More needs to be done to fund research and raise awareness amongst men about the disease as there has been for breast and bowel cancer." If you would like to know more about prostate cancer or being tested for the disease, contact the Radio Bristol Actionline in confidence - 0845 900-5-955 - or visit the Prostate Cancer Charity website where you can download information and get advice. | 
