Prostate Cancer Compensation Claims

If you believe that delayed or missed diagnosis of prostate cancer has led to a worsening of your condition, or if you have suffered any other form of medical negligence during your treatment, the expert solicitors at JMW are here to help you make a claim for the compensation to which you are entitled. We are highly experienced in cases of this type and can guide you through the entire process.

To speak to our team and find out more about your prostate cancer claim, contact us today. Simply call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form and we will get in touch to answer any questions you may have. 

About Prostate Cancer

The prostate is a small gland at the base of the male bladder. It produces a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). Many thousands of new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year in the UK, unfortunately resulting in thousands of deaths. The most common age of presentation is between 65 and 85 and is rare before the age of 50.

Cancer of the prostate is a serious disease, but is often slow to develop. It may only affect a small area of the gland and may grow at such a slow rate that often it does not need treatment and has no symptoms. However, in younger men the cancer tends to be more aggressive, causing more symptoms and can spread to outside the prostate (particularly to the bones).

Causes

The cause of prostate cancer is unknown; however, some factors appear to increase the likelihood of this type of cancer developing and include:

• Family history
• Ethnic origin
• Diet

Symptoms

In the early stages of cancer there may be no symptoms. However, as the prostate enlarges, problems with passing urine may occur. Symptoms may include:

• Needing to urinate more
• A feeling that the bladder is not fully empty
• Straining whilst urinating

It is important to note that most men with urinary problems will not go on to develop prostate cancer. Benign enlargement of the prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) is very common in men over 50. Symptoms of further advanced cancer of the prostate include:

• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen
• Pain in the hips, back or legs (due to spread to the bones)

Diagnosis

Men presenting to their GP with prostate symptoms or concerns about cancer will have a digital rectal examination (DRE). A cancerous prostate will feel irregular and hard, whereas a normal one is smooth and soft. A blood test will also be taken to establish the PSA level. This can be raised if the prostate is enlarged, is infected or is cancerous. Antibiotics will be given to exclude infection. If the levels are still raised then urgent referral to a specialist is necessary to ensure prompt diagnosis and swift treatment. A biopsy will confirm whether the prostate is cancerous. Tests will then be undertaken to check if it has spread to elsewhere in the body.

Treatment

This depends on how advanced and aggressive the cancer is and on the age and general health of the patient. In the elderly, the cancer tends to be slow-growing and therefore observation is the only treatment unless the cancer advances. A prostatectomy (removal of the gland) is followed by regular PSA testing to ensure there is no recurrence. Radiotherapy and hormone therapy may be necessary if the cancer is more advanced.

Although this is a slow-growing cancer, prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary to improve prognosis. GPs should refer urgently when screening shows any abnormality and when symptoms are present in order to prevent a delay in diagnosis. It is also important to regularly screen patients who have undergone treatment for prostate cancer so as to detect any recurrence early.