Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the UK and Ireland. Given that over 55,000 men in the UK and 4,000 men in Ireland are diagnosed each year, raising awareness is essential—especially for those working in construction, where health can sometimes take a back seat to the demands of the job.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may not require immediate treatment, others can be more aggressive. Catching it early makes a huge difference, which is why understanding the symptoms and risk factors is vital
Why Construction Workers Should Pay Attention
Men working in construction often face demanding physical conditions, long hours, and irregular health check-ups. Research suggests that men in physically demanding jobs may delay seeking medical advice, putting them at greater risk of late diagnosis. Since prostate cancer is most common in men over 50, it's important for workers in this age group to prioritise their health, just as they prioritise safety on-site.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may not require immediate treatment, others can be more aggressive. Catching it early makes a huge difference, which is why understanding the symptoms and risk factors is vital
Why Construction Workers Should Pay Attention
Men working in construction often face demanding physical conditions, long hours, and irregular health check-ups. Research suggests that men in physically demanding jobs may delay seeking medical advice, putting them at greater risk of late diagnosis. Since prostate cancer is most common in men over 50, it's important for workers in this age group to prioritise their health, just as they prioritise safety on-site.
Some statistics about Prostate cancer:
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
- More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, translating to roughly 129 men every day.
- Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer, more than 11,500 men every year.
- 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
- Around 400,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer.
Who is most at risk?
While all men are at risk of developing prostate cancer, certain factors increase the likelihood:
If you fall into a higher-risk category, it’s even more important to get checked regularly.
- Age: The risk significantly rises after the age of 50.
- Ethnicity: Black men have double the risk of developing prostate cancer compared to white men.
- Family history: If a father or brother has had prostate cancer, the risk increases.
- Lifestyle factors: Though not directly proven, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and eating a balanced diet may help reduce the risk.
If you fall into a higher-risk category, it’s even more important to get checked regularly.
Signs and symptoms
Prostate cancer often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. However, as the cancer progresses, men may experience:
✅ Difficulty starting or stopping urination
✅ Weak or interrupted urine flow
✅ Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night
✅ Feeling like the bladder isn’t fully emptied
✅ Blood in urine or semen
✅ Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate, but it’s always best to get checked. If you experience any of these signs, don’t ignore them—book an appointment with your GP.
✅ Difficulty starting or stopping urination
✅ Weak or interrupted urine flow
✅ Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night
✅ Feeling like the bladder isn’t fully emptied
✅ Blood in urine or semen
✅ Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis
These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate, but it’s always best to get checked. If you experience any of these signs, don’t ignore them—book an appointment with your GP.
Getting Checked: The PSA Test
There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer, but a simple blood test, known as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, can help detect potential issues.
🩸 The PSA test measures the level of PSA in your blood—higher levels may indicate prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other prostate conditions.
🩸 If your PSA level is high, further tests, such as an MRI or biopsy, may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
🩸 Men over 50, or those at higher risk (e.g., Black men or those with a family history), should speak to their GP about the PSA test.
Early detection saves lives. If caught early, prostate cancer has a survival rate of over 98%.
There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer, but a simple blood test, known as the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, can help detect potential issues.
🩸 The PSA test measures the level of PSA in your blood—higher levels may indicate prostate cancer, but they can also be caused by other prostate conditions.
🩸 If your PSA level is high, further tests, such as an MRI or biopsy, may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
🩸 Men over 50, or those at higher risk (e.g., Black men or those with a family history), should speak to their GP about the PSA test.
Early detection saves lives. If caught early, prostate cancer has a survival rate of over 98%.
Treatment Options
The good news is that prostate cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early. Treatment options vary depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer but may include:
Every diagnosis is different, so talking to a specialist about treatment options is key to finding the best approach.
The good news is that prostate cancer is highly treatable, especially when detected early. Treatment options vary depending on the stage and aggressiveness of the cancer but may include:
- Active surveillance – for slow-growing prostate cancer that may not require immediate treatment.
- Surgery – removal of the prostate gland if cancer is localised.
- Radiotherapy – using radiation to target and kill cancer cells.
- Hormone therapy – used to block the body’s testosterone, which prostate cancer relies on to grow.
- Chemotherapy or immunotherapy – used for advanced cases to slow progression and manage symptoms.
Every diagnosis is different, so talking to a specialist about treatment options is key to finding the best approach.
Getting Help
We talk about safety on-site all the time--but what about your health? Checking in with your doctor takes just a few minutes, but it could save your life.
If you’re over 50 (or over 45 if you're in a higher-risk group), speak to your GP about a prostate check-up today.
Your health matters—look after it like you would your tools and equipment
If you think you might have or are at risk of prostate cancer, we recommend contacting your GP or visit
Prostate Cancer UK or the Marie Keating Foundation (ROI).
If you’re over 50 (or over 45 if you're in a higher-risk group), speak to your GP about a prostate check-up today.
Your health matters—look after it like you would your tools and equipment
If you think you might have or are at risk of prostate cancer, we recommend contacting your GP or visit
Prostate Cancer UK or the Marie Keating Foundation (ROI).
Neil's StoryThe following story has been provided by Neil Topping, one of our fantastic volunteers for our Central Region Lighthouse Club. Neil has been a volunteer Wellbeing Visitor for our charity for 27 years and when he learned of us focussing on raising awareness about Prostate Cancer he immediately offered to share his own journey from diagnosis to recovery.
'The story of my diagnosis begins 20 years before that fateful day in November 2015 when I was told that I had the condition. My in laws lived in Scotland and my father in law, Eric underwent an operation in 1992. We weren’t really aware of the seriousness of the situation at the time, because he lived over 400 miles away and it was a sensitive subject. So it took a year or two before we learned of his diagnosis. After spending time with him in the years that followed the operation, it was clear that he was struggling. My wife Heather and I assumed that the cancer had probably spread to other parts of his body prior to his diagnosis and that these had remained and spread further after his prostate operation. |
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Sadly Eric passed away just 3 years later in 1995. However, almost his last words from his hospital bed to my brother-in-law and to me were, “Get yourselves checked regularly”.'
Elvin's StoryDealing with Prostate Cancer can be extremely difficult, particularly when having to make important decisions about how to tackle the diagnosis.
In this video, Elvin shares the decisions he faced when it came to surgery, the impact diagnosis and treatment had on his sex life and mental state, and most importantly how he came out stronger than before. |
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