Disclaimer

Although we take care to ensure accuracy, Macmillan Cancer Support does not accept liability for the information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert or for any errors or omissions in them, or for third-party information or services such as other websites we may link to. The information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert are for information purposes only and are not intended to be legal, financial or medical advice or opinions. If you need more details on your rights, please contact a financial, legal or other appropriate adviser.

We recommend that you consult your doctor if you are concerned about your health. Any You should not rely on any information and materials provided or referenced in Ask an Expert including by our Experts as they are not a replacement for advice, diagnosis or treatment from your medical team, and our Experts cannot provide a second opinion to that of your medical team.

Your question can be read by others – so please don't post your contact details or any other information that could personally identify you. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Community Guidelines for more details.

Prostate Cancer - Bleeding

TrayM73
  • 2 replies
  • 40 subscribers
  • 446 views

Hi, I have a friend recently diagnosed with prostate cancer 5 weeks ago. Last week he was told it's a aggressive cancer 7 & 9, he has an appointment with a surgeon next week. Apparently it's not gone to his bones or anywhere else yet, but he started to see blood in his semen yesterday.  Is that a normal symptom of this aggressive cancer, or does that means things are getting rapidly worse? I told him to maybe call his key worker nurse but he says he will wait until his appointment on the 21st Dec - I'm really worried that means it's getting worse.

  • Dear TrayM73

     

    Welcome to the online community. My name is Penelope and I am one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists. I am sorry to hear about your friend’s recent diagnosis. Blood in the urine or semen can be one of the symptoms of prostate cancer, so it does not necessarily suggest that his condition is worsening.  With any new symptoms, however, we would always suggest your friend contacts the hospital team, a GP or 111 today for further guidance.

    The key worker nurse that you mentioned would be a good person for him to contact to update them on this new symptom. Your friend may also have other questions for his key worker to help him prepare for his appointment on the 21st December.

    If you wish to find out more about your friend’s diagnosis you may like to look at this information for people who have been recently diagnosed from Prostate Cancer UK. The different types of classification systems used can be confusing so please do give us a call on the Macmillan Support Line if you would like to discuss things further.

    We know that cancer can affect not just the person with the diagnosis but their friends and family too. On our website we have lots of information about supporting someone with cancer that you may find helpful. You, or your friend may also like to sign up for our weekly emails, to receive further support and information.

    I hope this information is helpful. Please do encourage your friend to get medical advice today, and do not hesitate to get in touch with us for further information or support.

     

    Best wishes,

    Penelope, Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

    Ref/ SMG

  • in reply to Penelope - Macmillan

    Dear Penelope,

    Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.  It's very much appreciated. I'm trying to encourage him, and I'll look at the 'Recently Diagnosed' link.  It's difficult to know how to discuss it with him, we only talk about it when he mentions it. It's obviously a very sensitive issue and I don't want to appear to be pushy. I do feel, like you said, that his care team should know.  So I'll try my best :) Thanks again x

Help us do whatever it takes, because we’ve never been needed more.

© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007