How much do you know about prostate cancer?
- Alice Monk
- Mar 27, 2018
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 24
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, accounting for over 13% of all cancer diagnoses in England. Around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with it in their lifetime, and more than 50,000 new cases are identified each year in the UK.
What is a prostate?
The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, found in most people assigned male at birth. It sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra - the tube that carries urine out of the body. The prostate plays an important role in reproductive health by producing a fluid that helps nourish and transport sperm.
Who is at risk?
While prostate cancer can affect anyone with a prostate, some factors increase the risk:
Age: Most cases occur in men over 50.
Family history: Having a father or brother with prostate cancer increases your risk.
Ethnicity: Black men are at higher risk and are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age.
Genetics: Faults in genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 — more commonly linked with breast cancer — can also raise prostate cancer risk.
What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer often develops slowly, which means symptoms may not appear for many years. When they do occur, they’re usually related to urination, including:
Difficulty starting or stopping urination
A weak or interrupted flow
Feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bladder
Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
Pain or burning when urinating (less common)
These symptoms are not always due to cancer, they can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions like an enlarged prostate, but it’s important to speak to your GP if you notice changes.
Types of prostate cancer
There are three broad stages:
Localised prostate cancer – contained within the prostate
Locally advanced prostate cancer – spread to nearby tissues
Advanced prostate cancer – spread to other parts of the body (e.g., bones)
Some prostate cancers grow so slowly that they may never cause problems. Others are more aggressive and need prompt treatment.
Can I get screened?
There is no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. However, men over 50 can ask their GP for a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test. This can help indicate if something’s wrong, but it’s not perfect - many men with raised PSA don’t have cancer, and some with cancer have normal PSA levels. If your PSA is raised, your GP may recommend further investigations such as a digital rectal examination (DRE), MRI scan, or a biopsy to help confirm whether cancer is present. Your GP can help you weigh up the pros and cons of testing and talk you through what to expect if further checks are needed.
When to seek help
If you're over 50, at higher risk, or have noticed urinary changes, speak to your GP. Early detection could make all the difference - and even if it’s not cancer, finding the cause of symptoms can bring peace of mind and lead to better health.
References:
Comments