Quiz: Six facts about prostate and breast cancer

False

This is a common misconception and one that is important to overturn. Sometimes men report that their GP has refused to give them a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test because they didn’t have any symptoms of prostate cancer. However, most early stage prostate cancers don’t cause any symptoms. In fact, any man over the age of 50 can ask their GP for a PSA. A raised level may indicate a man has a prostate problem that needs further investigation.

If you’re over 45 and have a higher risk of prostate cancer (for example, if you’re black or you have a family history of it), talk to your GP about whether the PSA test is right for you.

If you’re unsure whether you’re at higher risk, take our 30-second risk checker.

True

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, yet we don’t have a standalone test for a screening programme that can reliably spot the disease. The PSA test is the most accurate test we have at the moment, but is not specific enough for a screening programme. A raised PSA level only tells your doctor there may be a problem with your prostate, not what the problem is. The lack of a screening programme can delay treatment, until it’s too late to cure. We’re committed to cracking the problem of late diagnosis, and making sure all prostate cancers are caught in time.

Read more about tests for prostate cancer here.

False

People we speak to often feel confused and worried about what their PSA blood tests results mean. Although most men with prostate cancer will have a higher level of PSA, not all men with a high PSA will have prostate cancer.

Your PSA can rise for other reasons such as a urine infection, inflammation in the prostate or benign prostate enlargement. If you have a high PSA, further tests will help get a clearer picture.

Read more about tests for prostate problems here.

False

Injuries do not lead to breast cancer. This includes things like nipple piercings. Sometimes an injury can lead to a benign (not cancer) lump known as fat necrosis. This is scar tissue that can form when the body naturally repairs the damaged fatty breast tissue. It is also common for people to become more breast aware after an injury to the area, so they may only notice a change in their breast after sustaining a bump, strain or bruise.

True

Men can get breast cancer. Around 370 men a year in the UK are diagnosed with breast cancer, and most of them are over 60. For this reason, it is important for men to know the signs and symptoms to look out for as well. 

Breast Cancer Now’s researchers are looking to understand how breast cancer in men is different from breast cancer in women so that everyone receives the most suitable treatment for them.

True

Breast cancer can come back (recur) in the chest or breast area in people who have had mastectomies (either with or without reconstruction).  

Cancer can come back in the chest, breast or armpit area or in the skin near the original site of the scar if you’ve had a mastectomy. It can also come back in the lymph nodes around the chest, neck and under the breast bone as well as in other parts of the body. If you have had a previous diagnosis, it is important to know what to look out for and report any new or persistent changes to your treatment team or GP.