A survey has revealed that only a third of British men understand the role of the prostate. Researchers also found that men often make excuses not to go to the doctor when they have a problem that could indicate a prostate problem. The ICM poll was conducted at the start of Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, which aims to understand the public’s health knowledge. Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men, accounting for about a quarter of newly diagnosed cancer cases. When asked about the main function of the prostate, only 33% of men were able to correctly answer that it is involved in semen formation, carries sperm and has a very important sexual function. However, this is far better than in a similar survey conducted last year. At that time, only 13% of men surveyed were aware of the role of the prostate. John Neate, Chief Executive of the Prostate Cancer Charity, which initiated the survey, said: “Whilst the increase in awareness is encouraging, the bottom line is that seven out of 10 men still don’t know about the important role that the prostate gland plays in their own lives”. Men over the age of 45 admit that if they are forced to get up multiple times during the night to urinate, they will find reasons to avoid seeking medical attention. Increased urination at night is a common symptom of an enlarged prostate, or prostate tumor. However, almost a third of men think it is normal for their age, while more than a quarter say they do not go to the doctor because it is so difficult to get an appointment. It’s not until they’ve seen a doctor that they know why they get up so often at night to pee,” Mr. Neate said. “While this could be a symptom of prostate cancer, it could also be an age-related benign prostate lesion, which is treatable. Fear of prostate cancer could be stopping men from taking that all-important first step to find out exactly what’s wrong with them.” Another survey found that only 15 percent of black British Caribbean men realize that they are more likely to develop prostate cancer than whites. Men of African descent are three times more likely to develop the disease than white men. Black playwright, novelist and poet Benjamin Zephaniah , who is supporting Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, said, “I want all African Caribbean men to be aware that they face a higher risk of developing the disease. “He has written a comedy to raise awareness of prostate cancer called De Botty Business, which is currently touring the UK.