Expert urges men to call doctor straight away if this symptom happens on toilet
All men are encouraged to pay attention when visiting the toilet because according to one expert, one particular sign can be a red flag for a host of serious health conditions
Experts are urging men to call a doctor if they notice a serious warning sign while on the toilet, and according to one expert it's not something to be ignored - even if it happens just once.
Blood in the urine, also called haematuria, can be a red flag for serious health illnesses and should never be ignored, according to experts.
Cancers of the prostate, bladder or kidneys can stem from this simple symptom, according to Dr Jiri Kubes of the Proton Therapy Center, and men should pay attention.
Dr Kubes said: 'If you notice blood in your urine even once, don't wait for it to happen again. Once is enough to make an appointment with your GP.
'It could be nothing, but if it is something then a timely diagnosis can save your life.'
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in UK men, with around 55,000 new cases each year, according to Cancer Research UK. It affects the walnut-sized prostate gland and symptoms usually only appear once the cancer has grown large enough to place pressure on the urethra, which carries urine out of the bladder.
Other symptoms include a weak flow, needing to pee more often, straining or finding it difficult to start peeing.
A weak flow and feeling as if your bladder has not fully emptied can also be a warning sign.
Dr Kubes continued: 'Any changes in urinary habits that are unusual for you should be checked with your GP.
'There are other reasons why a prostate may become enlarged, so these symptoms do not always mean you have cancer, but it is always worth getting them checked.'
Men who are over the age of 50 are more at risk of prostate cancer, as are people with a family history of the disease and members of the Black community.
Blood in the urine can also be a sign of bladder cancer, and may present as streaks of blood in the pee or can turn your urine brown.
Haematuria can also be a sign of kidney cancer, along with pain in your ribs and waist, a lump in your back or a loss of appetite.
Dr Kubes said: 'Blood in the urine can have many causes. It does not always mean cancer, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection or a kidney infection. But it could also be something much more serious, so it's imperative not to dismiss the signs.
'Identifying cancer as soon as possible can mean more effective treatment options.
'Proton beam therapy is available for prostate cancer and has the potential to offer fewer side effects.
'That's because it uses a highly-charged proton beam to target cancer cells with pencil-point precision, which ensures surrounding tissues and organs are more protected.
'In an area as delicate as the prostate this can mean protecting things like urinary and sexual function.'
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