Prostate cancer: facts, myths and why getting checked matters

Anyone with a prostate gland can get prostate cancer.

This includes men, trans (transgender) women and people assigned male at birth.

Doctors do not know exactly what causes of prostate cancer. But some things can increase your risk.

• Age - Your risk of prostate cancer increases from the age of 50. Prostate cancer is uncommon under the age of 50 and more common over the age of 75.
• Ethnicity - Black men are more likely to be diagnosed than other men, and often at a younger age.
• Family history - Your risk can be higher if you have close relatives, such as a father or brother, who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Or if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

Learn more about prostate cancer risk factors.

Not always.

Symptoms usually happen when cancer in the prostate is large enough to press on the tube you pee (pass urine) through. This is called the urethra. The prostate can also become enlarged due to a non-cancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH can develop as you get older.

The symptoms of benign prostate conditions and prostate cancer are similar. If you have any of these symptoms, it is important to have them checked by your GP:

• needing to pee more often than usual, especially at night
• difficulty peeing – for example, a weak flow or having to strain to start peeing
• feeling like you have not completely emptied your bladder
• an urgent need to pee
• blood in your urine or semen
• pain when peeing or ejaculating – this is rare.

Other symptoms can include: getting or keeping an erection (erectile dysfunction). It can also cause loss of appetite and weight loss.

When prostate cancer spreads, it can spread to the bones. This may cause pain in the bones, such as in the back. Even if it spreads to other parts of the body, it is still prostate cancer.  

• PSA blood test
• prostate examination (digital rectal examination)

During a digital rectal examination (DRE), your GP will lubricate a gloved finger with gel. Then they gently insert it through the anus and into the rectum to feel [the prostate]. They can feel for any abnormalities. DRE can detect other prostate conditions as well as a possible prostate cancer.

DRE may feel uncomfortable, but it is quick and should not be painful. Tell them if you feel pain.

If you are worried or feel uncomfortable about having a DRE, talk your GP. There are other tests for prostate cancer so they may decide not to do a DRE if you feel this way.

The PSA test is a blood test. It can be used with other tests to help diagnose prostate cancer.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a protein made in the prostate. Some PSA leaks into the blood and can be measured in the PSA test.

Prostate cancer often causes a raised level of PSA. But the test is not always reliable. A raised level of PSA does not mean you have prostate cancer. Naturally, as you get older, the level of PSA in the blood slowly rises. Your doctor can tell you what they think the normal level of PSA should be for you.

A raised PSA can also be caused by other things, including urine infections or an enlarged prostate.

Learn more about tests for prostate cancer.

If you or someone you know is affected by prostate cancer, you don’t have to face it alone. Support is available for your medical, emotional and everyday needs. You can:

• Find local cancer support services near you with our simple online search.
• Call the Macmillan Support Line for free on 0808 808 00 00, if you have any questions.
• Use our Online Chat
• Visit our Prostate cancer forum  to talk with people who have been affected by cancer, share your experience, and ask an expert your questions.

Other organisations who can help

• Maggie’s offers support for people going through hormone therapy, including space to talk about side effects and find ways to manage them.
• Prostate Cancer UK provides information and support to men with prostate cancer and their families. They have offices in London, the Midlands, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. You can call their helpline on 0800 074 8383.
• Cancer Black Care helps ensure Black men and men of colour feel seen, supported and informed.

This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan's Digital Content Editor team. Learn more about our Digital Content Editors and how we produce our cancer information. 

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