Prostate Cancer: Signs, Symptoms and the Importance of PSA Testing

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting men in the UK, with around 57,900 new cases every year. It usually develops slowly, meaning many men will not notice any early signs or symptoms. As a result, prostate cancer often does not get diagnosed until it has progressed significantly, which can impact both prognosis and treatment options.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a specific type of cancer that affects the prostate gland. It usually develops slowly, so many men can live with prostate cancer for a long time before realising they have the condition.

The prostate gland is a small gland in the pelvis located between the penis and the bladder. The main function of the prostate is to produce a thick white fluid that forms semen when mixed with sperm produced in the testes.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

In the early stages of prostate cancer, most men do not experience any signs or symptoms of the condition, making it difficult to detect.

Men usually only get early symptoms if the cancer is growing near the urethra (the tube you urinate through). This is because it can press on the urethra and change the way you urinate. In most cases, prostate cancer starts to grow in the outer part of the prostate, and it is only as the cancer grows or spreads that it starts to press on the urethra and cause symptoms.

The most common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Difficulty starting to urinate
• Difficulty emptying your bladder
• A weak flow when you urinate
• Feeling like your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
• Dribbling urine after you have finished urinating
• Needing to urinate more frequently, often at night
• A sudden urge to urinate
• Pressure or pain in the rectum

If prostate cancer progresses and spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause other symptoms, including:

• Back, hip or pelvis pain
• Problems getting or keeping an erection
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Unexplained weight loss

It’s important to get checked out if you experience any of the above, as although they can indicate you may have prostate cancer, they can also be a sign of an enlarged prostate, a common and non-cancerous problem.

What are the causes of prostate cancer?

The causes of prostate cancer are not fully understood, but there are certain factors that can increase your risk of developing the condition. This can include:

• Age – the older you are, the more at risk you are of developing prostate cancer
• Ethnicity – for reasons not yet understood, the condition is less common in Asian men and more common in Black men
• Family history – if a close relative has prostate cancer, your chances of developing it are slightly higher
• Weight – there are some links between an increased risk of prostate cancer in those living with obesity

Understanding your risk factors is important as this can help you remain more vigilant for the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer which you may otherwise overlook.

What is PSA testing?

The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test measures PSA levels in the blood, offering insights into potential prostate cancer risk. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate gland. Elevated PSA levels can signal a range of prostate-related issues, from benign conditions to prostate cancer.

The PSA blood test measures the amount of PSA in the blood, providing an indication of potential issues with the prostate. It's important to note that while elevated PSA levels may raise suspicion, they are not conclusive evidence of prostate cancer. Other factors, such as age, overall health, and family history, need to be considered in conjunction with the PSA results.

Elevated PSA levels may prompt further evaluation, including a multiparametric MRI (mpMRI), and/or a prostate biopsy, to confirm the presence of prostate cancer.

Our PSA test is available to men between the ages of 40 and 79.

Why does PSA testing matter?

PSA testing is the primary tool for detecting early-stage prostate cancer, as well as non-cancerous conditions. Due to the fact many men don't experience symptoms makes PSA testing essential in early detection. If caught early, it is significantly easier to treat and increases the likelihood of positive outcomes.

One Bluecrest customer, Matt stressed the importance of PSA testing "Get tested early. My health assessment saved my life." The early detection of his prostate cancer proved vital and within 10 weeks, Matt had moved diagnosis to surgery and had even returned back to work in the fire service.

Read more about Matt's story.

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