Speaking up about prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men

It's rare the prime minister agrees with the leader of the opposition, and the Liberal Democrats.

But Mr Blair has sided with Michael Howard and Charles Kennedy to raise awareness of prostate cancer and hopefully break down some of the taboos about it.

All three have recorded a message to highlight the condition which mostly occurs in men.

It seems that men tend to be embarrassed about the condition and that can lead to a delay in diagnosis.

We discussed prostate cancer on today's Breakfast - we heard from Phil Baldy who has been successfully treated for prostate cancer

You can find out more about the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer from The Prostate Cancer Charity

Follow this link for the Prostate Charity Cancer website

Prostate cancer facts:

Prostate cancer mainly affects older men - only one in 20 cases occur in men under the age of 60

It is the most common cancer diagnosed in men in the UK - every year 30,000 men are diagnosed with the disease

One third of men with prostate cancer die each year

We heard from Breakfast viewer Mervyn Brown about his experience of prostate cancer, he says:

I am 55 and had a radical prostatectomy 18 months ago.

I had none of the 'usual' symptoms of prostate cancer, just what appeared to me to be a pulled muscle in my lower stomach.

This persisted for a while and I consulted my GP. After a blood test, I was referred to a Urologist who carried out further tests, which resulted in the operation.

I am now totally clear of the disease, and very grateful to be so. This disease is easily identified, but doesn't always show up the way most men expect it to.

My point is, if in doubt, get it checked. The sooner it is found, the easier it is to treat.