Published on 10 November 2025
Men are being warned to watch for the tell-tale warning signals of prostate cancer in new videos featuring local survivors of the disease telling their stories, as part of a Cancer Alliance-funded campaign.
Men in Wirral have been urged to check for signs and symptoms of prostate cancer as part of a campaign during Movember, the men’s health awareness month.
The videos – commissioned by One Wirral CIC and funded by Cheshire and Merseyside Cancer Alliance – include the story of Wirral prostate cancer survivor Mike Christian. Mike is one of the 2,900 men who undergo treatment for the disease each year in Cheshire and Merseyside.
Prostate cancer is most common in men over the age of 50 or those from a Black African or Caribbean background. Having a family history of prostate cancer can also increase your risk. Anyone with a prostate can get it but it can be successfully treated if it is diagnosed at an early stage.
Grandfather Mike, from Wallasey, was successfully treated for prostate cancer after a it was detected by a PSA test, which he took because his brother had been diagnosed with the disease. He says on the video: “If you have a family history, then I would have a check-up. It will signal if you have a potential problem or not. It is far better to find out early than leave it too late.”
Prostate cancer does not usually have any symptoms at first. Later signs may include back, hip or pelvis pain, or difficulty maintaining an erection. People may also have problems peeing, but this could be a sign of other prostate problems.
Mr Nambi Rajan, Consultant Urologist at Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust features in the videos speaking about the risks of prostate cancer and advising people to contact their GP practice if they feel they are at higher risk or have signs that may be cancer.
He says: “Start thinking about your risk of prostate cancer if you turn 50. If there is any history of prostate cancer in your family or of breast cancer in a female member of your family or you are a Black man, your risk is higher. So go to your GP, discuss the pros and cons of having a PSA blood test so you can make an informed decision.”
Another video for the campaign features prostate cancer survivor Michael Crowe, from Liverpool, a Black man who was diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early stage when he was only 48 after his sister, a nurse, recommended he have the PSA test.
Michael was successfully treated for the disease but advises others who have Black ethnicity to have a PSA check, carried out by a GP, which can indicate if prostate cancer is present or has a likelihood of developing.
Michael said: “One in eight White men will discover they have prostate cancer, one in four Black men will discover they have it, so it is very important to have your PSA checked.”
Mr Rajan added: “If you have any urinary symptoms, please don’t ignore them. Go and discuss it with your GP and they will be able to advise you of the necessary tests that you need to undergo. Early detection of prostate cancer saves lives.”
Signs of possible prostate cancer are:
- finding it difficult to start peeing or straining to pee
- having a weak flow of urine
- ‘stop-start’ peeing
- needing to pee urgently or often, or both
- feeling like you still need to pee when you have just finished
- peeing during the night
- being unable to get or keep an erection
- blood in your urine or semen
- lower back pain and losing weight without trying to
You can see Mike’s video here – https://youtu.be/9WsKfbvvojE?si=oCinxtGmYZLdxXjy – and Michael’s video here – https://youtu.be/yer_fnRvFgA?si=Hl2966e5hg0os3Jy