Prostate cancer at a glance
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, and about 1 in 8 men will get it at some point in their lives. Many men with early prostate cancer have no symptoms, which is why understanding your own level of risk matters. Knowing your risk helps you decide, with a doctor, whether and when to consider testing.
The prostate is a small gland that sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the tube that carries urine out of the body. It usually grows larger with age, and not all prostate problems are cancer.
“About 1 in 8 men in the UK will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives.”
The main risk factors for prostate cancer
There are three well-established risk factors. None of them can be changed, but knowing about them can help you make informed decisions about your health.
- Age. Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, the risk rises with age, and the average age at diagnosis is between 70 and 74.
- Ethnicity. Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer than other men, with about 1 in 4 Black men in the UK affected during their lifetime. Prostate Cancer UK notes that Black men may be more likely to get prostate cancer from the age of 45.
- Family history and genes. A man whose father or brother has been diagnosed is two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer than a man with no family history. Risk is also higher if a mother or sister has had breast or ovarian cancer. This can be linked to inherited changes in genes such as BRCA2.
Research also suggests that being overweight may be linked to a higher risk of more advanced prostate cancer. Keeping to a healthy weight and staying active is good for your overall health, though it cannot remove the risk entirely.
Signs and symptoms to be aware of
Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they are usually because the prostate is pressing on the urethra. Common signs include needing to pee more often, day or night; difficulty starting to pee; a weak flow; needing to rush to the toilet; feeling that the bladder hasn’t fully emptied; and dribbling urine.
These symptoms are much more often caused by a non-cancerous enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) than by cancer. They are still worth discussing with a GP, as an enlarged prostate can be treated.
Less commonly, prostate cancer that has spread can cause back, hip or pelvic pain, erection problems, blood in the urine or semen, or unexplained weight loss. If you notice blood in your urine, see a doctor promptly.
What is a PSA test?
A PSA test is a blood test that measures prostate specific antigen, a protein made by the prostate. A raised PSA level can be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also be caused by an enlarged prostate, a urinary infection, recent ejaculation or vigorous exercise such as cycling.
The PSA test has benefits and limitations. It can help find cancer early, before symptoms appear, when treatment is more likely to be successful. However, most men with a raised PSA do not have cancer, and the test can miss some cancers. It can also find slow-growing cancers that would never have caused harm, which can lead to treatment and side effects that were not needed.
Because of this, a GP will talk through your personal risk and what the result might mean before you decide to have the test. If your PSA is raised, the next step is usually a referral for further assessment, which often includes an MRI scan before any decision about a biopsy.
Prostate checks at Enigma Healthcare
There are two ways to discuss your prostate health with us.
Men’s wellbeing check. If you’d like a complete picture of your health, a prostate check is included in our Well Man Health Check. You’ll start with a one-hour assessment with a specialist Health Advisor, covering your health, lifestyle and family history, along with blood tests, an ECG, a blood pressure check, urinalysis and a PSA blood test where appropriate. You’ll then come back for an appointment of up to an hour with one of our private GPs, who will go through all of your results, carry out any further examination needed and refer you to a specialist if anything needs looking into further.
Find out moreGP appointment. If you have symptoms, a family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer, or would simply like to talk through whether a PSA test is right for you, you can book an appointment with one of our private GPs. They can assess your symptoms, arrange testing and refer you on for specialist assessment if needed.
Book a GP appointmentFrequently asked questions
Most men are advised to think about it from 50. If you are Black, or have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer, it is worth talking to a GP from 45.
Yes. Men without symptoms can discuss a PSA test with a GP, who will explain the potential benefits and drawbacks for you personally.
They can be, but they are much more commonly caused by a non-cancerous enlarged prostate. Any new or changing urinary symptoms are worth getting checked.
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