Cancer does not always announce itself clearly. In some cases, the first warning is a small change that is easy to dismiss: a weaker urine flow, bleeding after sex, pain in the pelvis or a discharge that looks different. Acting quickly can make a major difference, because both prostate cancer and cervical cancer can be treated more successfully when they are found early.
The latest global estimates underline the scale of the problem. Prostate cancer caused about 419,849 deaths worldwide in 2024, while cervical cancer caused about 280,000 deaths during the same year. In the UK, prostate cancer claimed about 12,300 lives in the period from 2022 to 2024. These figures represent families and communities affected every year, but they also show why recognising symptoms and attending health appointments matters.
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Cancer
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Latest deaths cited
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Key early-action message
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Prostate cancer
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About 419,849 worldwide in 2024; about 12,300 in the UK in 2022–2024
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Report urinary changes, blood in urine or semen, erectile problems, back pain or unexplained weight loss to a clinician.
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Cervical cancer
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About 280,000 worldwide in 2024
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Do not ignore unusual vaginal bleeding, changes in discharge or pelvic pain; attend HPV vaccination and cervical screening when offered.
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Prostate cancer can be silent at first
Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland, which sits below the bladder and surrounds part of the tube carrying urine out of the body. The disease often causes no symptoms in its early stages because it may begin in the outer part of the gland, away from the urinary passage. A person can therefore feel well while cancer is developing.
When symptoms do appear, they may affect urination. Warning signs include difficulty starting to pee, straining, a weak or interrupted flow, an urgent need to urinate, needing to go more often, waking during the night to urinate and feeling that the bladder has not emptied fully. Blood in the urine or semen and problems getting or keeping an erection can also occur.
Lower back pain and unexplained weight loss may be signs of more advanced disease, particularly when they occur alongside urinary changes. These symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, including an enlarged prostate or prostate infection. That is not a reason to ignore them. A change that is new, worsening or unusual should be discussed with a GP or another qualified healthcare professional.
Men who are worried about their risk can ask about a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, blood test. A PSA test cannot confirm prostate cancer on its own, and an abnormal result may have other causes. Doctors may use the result alongside a medical history, examination and further tests to decide what should happen next. Men with a close family history of prostate cancer, and those with certain inherited genetic risks, may need a more individual discussion about testing.
Cervical cancer often gives visible warning signs
Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the lower part of the womb that opens into the vagina. Persistent infection with high-risk types of human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV, causes almost all cases. HPV is common and often clears naturally, but an infection that remains in the body can cause abnormal cells. If those changes are not found and treated, they can develop into cancer over time.
The clearest warning sign is vaginal bleeding that is unusual for the individual. This can mean bleeding during or after sex, bleeding between periods, heavier periods than normal or any bleeding after the menopause. Changes in vaginal discharge, including a new unpleasant smell or a different appearance, should also be checked. Pain during sex, pain in the lower back, pain between the hip bones or pain in the lower abdomen are further symptoms that should not be brushed aside.
Many of these symptoms have causes other than cancer, including fibroids, endometriosis, infections and hormonal changes. A person should nevertheless arrange a medical appointment when symptoms change, become heavier, continue or feel abnormal. Embarrassment should not delay care. Clinicians are accustomed to discussing bleeding, discharge and pain, and patients can ask questions, request an explanation before an examination and ask for a chaperone or another trusted person to be present where local arrangements allow.
Screening and vaccination can prevent deaths
Cervical cancer is unusual among many cancers because prevention can begin before cancer develops. HPV vaccination protects against the high-risk virus types responsible for a large share of cervical cancers. Screening can identify HPV infection or abnormal cells before they become invasive cancer, allowing follow-up and treatment at an earlier stage. Screening remains important even for people who have received the HPV vaccine, because vaccination does not cover every cancer-causing HPV type.
The World Health Organisation has set global 90–70–90 targets: 90% of girls fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15, 70% of women screened with a high-performance test by age 35 and again by age 45, and 90% of women with pre-cancer or invasive cancer receiving appropriate treatment. Countries use different programmes and age ranges, so people should follow the schedule offered by their local health service rather than waiting for symptoms.
Screening is not a substitute for medical attention. Pre-cancerous changes may cause no symptoms, while unusual bleeding or pain may require examination even when a person recently attended screening. Anyone who has symptoms should contact a GP, clinic or appropriate health service promptly and explain exactly what has changed, when it began and whether it is getting worse.
The recent expansion of HPV vaccination options and the continuing international drive to eliminate cervical cancer have made prevention more accessible in many settings. But access only saves lives when people can reach services, accept vaccination, attend screening and seek help early. Public-health programmes also need adequate staff, testing, follow-up and treatment so that a concerning result does not become a missed opportunity.
The message for both cancers is simple: do not wait for severe pain or a crisis. Trouble passing urine, blood, erectile changes, persistent back pain, unusual vaginal bleeding, altered discharge or pelvic pain should be reported. A symptom does not automatically mean cancer, but only a healthcare professional can assess it properly. Early contact gives patients the best chance of receiving the right tests and, where cancer is found, starting effective treatment without unnecessary delay.
