With latest figures showing that referrals for prostate cancer had fallen by over 2,000 in Wales due to fewer people being tested following the restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar is calling for Welsh Government action to improve the situation.

Calling for a Statement from the Minister for Health in relation to referrals and treatment for prostate cancer in Wales in yesterday’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, he said:

“I was astonished to be told recently that the number of referrals for prostate cancer had fallen by over 2,000 in Wales due to fewer people being tested following the restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Clearly, that's very alarming - it could mean that there's undetected prostate cancer out there, and people's health could be damaged as a result. So I think it would be good to know what the Government's strategy is to get on top of that in the future.”

In her response, the Welsh Government’s Trefnydd, who is responsible for Government business, said: “I think with any health issue—and you refer specifically to prostate disease—awareness should be raised about screening.”

In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. 

Prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra).

Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:

• needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
• needing to rush to the toilet
• difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
• straining or taking a long time while peeing
• weak flow
• feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
• blood in urine or blood in semen

Men with any of the above symptoms should contact their GP.