A POLITICIAN has sounded warnings to men about the dangers of prostate cancer.

Councillor Mike Bawden (Cons, Old Town and Lawns) is battling prostate cancer himself and wants to encourage others to get tested.

The former mayor of Swindon, pictured right, can see why the fatality figures might be high with this particular cancer.

"Men should not dig their heads in the sand and hope that it goes away," he said.

"This problem does not go away and the sooner it's diagnosed the more likely it is that it can be treated and the person can live a normal life.

"I would encourage blokes to be sensible and be aware of the changes to their medical condition."

The prostate is a small gland situated near the bladder in men. If the cancer is detected early the chances of survival are very good due to the success of modern treatments like radiotherapy and surgery.

"My message is quite simply all men should think very carefully when their body processes start to change, especially after middle age, then if they believe their body processes have changed they should go to their doctor.

"The earlier it's diagnosed the better the chances of not dying from prostate cancer."

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics this week revealed that at least 21 people in North Swindon and 26 in South Swindon died from prostate cancer last year.

Those figures are 21 per cent and two per cent below the national averages respectively.

Coun Bawden said the problem with screening for prostate cancer was that it is done using a blood test called a PSA.

He explained that the National Health Service argues the test is not 100 per cent accurate so does not promote it in the same way as breast cancer screening.

"There is a double standard - I utterly support breast cancer screening, I only wish men had the same screening," he said.

"My argument is that it's the only tool available - if it proves not to be the case so be it, but to ignore it, I find that a flawed argument."

The main symptom to look for with prostate cancer is difficulty in passing water - either an increased frequency or difficulty maintaining a full stream.

Other symptoms include painful urination or ejaculation, blood in urine or semen and pain in the lower back, hips or thighs.

For more information visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk or call the free helpline on 0800 074 8383.