It has been revealed that, like in the UK, prostate cancer kills more Manx residents than breast cancer.

The Isle of Man director of public health has told the Manx Independent that more men died in 2016 from prostate cancer than women of breast cancer.

Dr Henrietta Ewart explained that while the numbers on the island are low due to the size of the population, the most recent available statistics revealed that in 2016 there were 18 deaths from prostate cancer in men aged 65 or older and 14 deaths from breast cancer in women aged 50 or older.

Dr Ewart said: ’This is a result of our increasing life expectancies and that we now have more men who survive to older age where they both develop and ultimately die with (though not always of) prostate cancer.

’Specialist treatment for prostate cancer for Isle of Man patients (including radiotherapy) is at Clatterbridge.’

While it is not known what exactly causes prostate cancer, there are several risk factors including ethnic group, being more common among men of African-Caribbean and African descent.

Other studies have found obesity may increase the risk while regular exercise decreases it.

A family history of the disease or having a close female relative who had breast cancer are also considered to increase the risk.

However, regular eaters of cooked tomatoes or brazil nuts are believed to be less at risk, although NHS England say more research is needed on this.

Dr Ewart added: ’There is no reliable screening test at present. The available tests include a blood test (prostate specific antigen, PSA), digital rectal examination and trans-rectal ultrasound.

’However, none of these is reliable in screening for cancer in men who have no symptoms.

’When there are symptoms, they are similar to benign prostate enlargement - frequent urination, getting up at night to urinate.’

Needing to rush to the toilet, straining or taking a long time while urinating, weak flow or feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully could also be symptoms.

However, most cases are diagnosed at an early stage and survival rates are good (five year survival after diagnosis is 85%).

Dr Ewart has also praised the moves to raise awareness of the disease in recent years.

’There have been a number of campaigns recently to raise awareness of prostate cancer - such as the annual Movember campaign.

’So men are generally more aware of prostate cancer than they were a few years ago.’

Besides Movember, other moves to promote the awareness include badges worn by football managers, English league sides, the presenters on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday and been included in FIFA video games and TV adverts featuring Bob Monkhouse, Samuel L Jackson and comedian Bill Bailey.

The Isle of Man also held a lads-night-in event in 2015, called Isle of Men organised by Pokerstars to raise awareness and funds.

Dr Ewart ended by saying: ’Anyone with symptoms or who has a family history or other concern should discuss this with their GP to decide whether further tests for possible prostate cancer would be appropriate.’

Only men have a prostate gland. The prostate is usually the size and shape of a walnut and grows bigger as you get older.

It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra - the tube men urinate (pee) and ejaculate through.

Its main job is to help make semen - the fluid that carries sperm.

In the UK, about one in eight men will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives. Older men, men with a family history of prostate cancer and black men are more at risk. If you are worried about your risk, or are experiencing any symptoms, go and see your GP. They can talk to you about your risk, and about the tests that are used to diagnose prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, and your risk increases with age. The average age for men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer is between 65 and 69 years. If you are under 50, your risk of getting prostate cancer is very low. Men under 50 can get it, but it isn’t common.

If you’re over 50 and you’re worried about your risk of prostate cancer, you might want to ask your GP about tests for prostate cancer. If you’re over 45 but have a higher risk of prostate cancer - because you have a family history of it or you’re a black man - you might want to talk to your GP too.