Prostate cancer affects 1 in 8 men - do you know your risk?

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in the UK, with over 130 men diagnosed every day [1], and around one in eight men will develop it during their lifetime.

Yet in its early stages, prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at all. 

Understanding your risk, particularly your age, ethnicity, and family history, is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your health. 

We explain what the prostate does, who is most at risk, how prostate cancer presents, whether testosterone therapy increases risk, and how testing works in the UK. 

In this blog we discuss: 

• What is the prostate? 
• What is prostate cancer? 
• Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer 
• What is my risk of prostate cancer? 
• Does testosterone increase my risk of prostate cancer?
• How do I test for prostate cancer? 
• Where can I get support? 

What is the prostate?

 

The prostate gland is found in men or people assigned male at birth. 

A healthy prostate is walnut-sized and grows as you get older. It sits underneath your bladder, surrounding the urethra (the tube which carries urine out of the body) and produces a fluid that, together with sperm cells (and fluids from other glands), makes up semen [2].

What is prostate cancer?

 

Prostate cancer can develop when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way. The causes of this are largely unknown. 

Sometimes it can occur slowly and may not lead to adverse effects or decrease your life expectancy. Other times, prostate cancer can grow quickly and may spread – this type of cancer usually requires treatment, such as chemotherapy [3].

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

 

The early stages of prostate cancer do not commonly cause symptoms [4]. 

If cancer grows and develops, it may start to press against the urethra, changing the way you pee (urinate) and causing symptoms. 

Symptoms, when something is pressing against your urethra include:

• Difficulty urinating or emptying your bladder
• A weak flow when you urinate
• A feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
• Dribbling urine after you finish urinating
• Needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
• A sudden need to urinate 
• You may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet [4, 5] 

These symptoms are not always a sign of cancer, and a non-cancerous enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hypertrophy) can cause similar symptoms. It is best to discuss any new symptoms with your GP.

If prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause other symptoms. 

Possible symptoms if prostate cancer spreads: 

• Back pain, hip pain, or pelvis pain 
• Problems getting or keeping an erection 
• Blood in the urine or semen 
• Unexplained weight loss 
• Pain in the testicles [4, 5] 

When discussing your symptoms with a medical professional, they will assess your risk of prostate cancer.  

What is my risk of prostate cancer?

 

The strongest risk factors for prostate cancer are age, ethnicity, and family history.

Unlike many cancers, lifestyle plays a smaller role than genetic predisposition, although obesity may influence disease progression. 

Main risk factors for prostate cancer:

• Men aged over 50 years – the overall risk of prostate cancer increases with age. The most common age for men to be diagnosed is between 75 and 79 years old. 

• Being of black ethnicity – in the UK, about one in four black men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime, which is double the risk compared with white men. It's least common in Asian men.

• Men with a family history of cancer – prostate cancer tends to run in families. Having a father, brother, grandfather, or uncle with prostate cancer increases your risk.

Even though genetics play a greater role in your risk of prostate cancer, lifestyle factors may also increase your risk. Therefore, eating a healthy balanced diet and keeping physically active, can help reduce your risk of prostate cancer [4]. 

Lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of prostate cancer include: 

• Being overweight
• Lack of exercise/living a sedentary lifestyle 
• Eating a poor diet, especially one low in vegetables but high in processed meats and saturated fats

If you want to find out more information about your risk, Prostate Cancer UK offers a quick risk checker to assess your risk of developing prostate cancer. 

Does testosterone increase my risk of prostate cancer?

 

This is a common concern, particularly among men considering testosterone replacement therapy (TRT).

There is no substantial current evidence to suggest that TRT increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. And current international guidelines do not list testosterone therapy as a cause of prostate cancer. 

However, testosterone can stimulate the growth of existing prostate cancer cells. For this reason, PSA testing and appropriate screening are essential before starting therapy. Men with active prostate cancer are not prescribed testosterone. 

Find out more about TRT and prostate cancer. 

How do I test for prostate cancer?

 

There is no single definitive test for prostate cancer, and currently men are not routinely screened in the UK [6].

It is important to be aware that all tests available have pros and cons, which a medical professional will be able to discuss with you. 

The most common prostate cancer tests

1. Blood tests

There is a specific blood test that can be done to help detect signs of prostate cancer. A blood test, such as our PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) Blood Test, tests for the prostate-specific antigen biomarker. If this biomarker is raised, it could indicate prostate cancer.

However, a PSA test can also give false-positive and false-negative results [6]. 

That’s why it’s important that a doctor looks at your results in context with your risk and symptoms to determine your next steps.

If you are over 50, you may be eligible to have this blood test for free on the NHS.

2. A physical examination

A doctor or nurse may examine your prostate. They will do this by inserting a gloved finger into your rectum (bottom). It is usually very quick, and you should not feel any pain. 

They will then check to make sure there are no unusual bumps or lumps and see whether your prostate is enlarged. This exam can help identify any masses that could be causing your symptoms.

3. MRI scan 

An MRI is a type of scan that produces detailed images of the inside of your body. An MRI takes place in a hospital and tends not to last longer than an hour for the prostate.

Your MRI results will be quite quick. If they indicate a problem, it can be addressed later with either a biopsy or in some cases, surgery.

4. Biopsy 

A biopsy involves a small piece of tissue being removed from your body to undergo further testing and examination. There are several types of biopsies used to diagnose prostate cancer [7]. 

The different types of biopsies used to diagnose prostate cancer include [8]:

• A transperineal biopsy – a needle is inserted into the prostate through the skin behind the scrotum. It is usually done under general anaesthetic and has a reduced infection rate.

• A transrectal biopsy – an ultrasound probe (a machine that uses sound waves to build a picture of the inside of your body) is inserted into the rectum. This picture helps the radiographer see where to pass the needle and take the biopsy. You will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area to ease discomfort.

A biopsy may also be taken during a cystoscopy, where the lining of your urethra and bladder is examined.

When should I speak to a doctor?

You should consider discussing prostate health with a doctor if you:

• Are over 50
• Are over 45 with a family history
• Are of Black ethnicity
• Notice persistent urinary changes
• Are considering testosterone therapy

Where can I get support?

 

For a simple-to-use home blood test, our PSA Blood Test can detect raised PSA levels, enabling you to take action if necessary. While our Advanced Well Man Blood Test, helps to rule any conditions in or out of your health concerns.

If you are nervous about speaking to your GP, Prostate Cancer UK offers a simple form that you can fill out and take with you to your appointment, making a difficult conversation easier to initiate. Cancer is not an easy subject, but by talking about it, we can help to raise awareness of the risks and symptoms of prostate cancer. 

FAQs

What age should I get tested for prostate cancer?

In the UK, routine screening is not currently offered, but men over 50 can request a PSA test through their GP. Private PSA tests are available to buy for men of all ages. 

Does a high PSA always mean cancer?

No. PSA can be elevated due to infection, inflammation, or benign enlargement. 

Can prostate cancer develop without symptoms?

Yes. Early prostate cancer commonly causes no symptoms.

Is prostate cancer curable?

Many prostate cancers are slow-growing and highly treatable, particularly when detected early.

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REFERENCES 

1. Cancer Research UK. Prostate cancer statistics. [online] Available at: <https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/prostate-cancer#heading-Zero> [Accessed 18 February 2026]. 
2. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. How does the prostate work? 2011 Feb 15 [Updated 2016 Aug 23]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279291/
3. Prostate Cancer UK. 2020. Trans women and prostate cancer. [online] Available at: <https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/are-you-at-risk/trans-women-and-prostate-cancer> [Accessed 18 February 2026]. 
4. Prostate Cancer UK. 2019. About prostate cancer. [online] Available at: <https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer> [Accessed 18 February 2026]. 
5. NHS UK. 2018. Prostate cancer - Symptoms. [online] Available at: <https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms/> [Accessed 18 February 2026]. 
6. About prostate cancer (no date) Prostate Cancer UK. Available at: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/about-prostate-cancer#:~:text=In%20the%20UK%2C%20about%201,out%20more%20about%20your%20risk (Accessed 18 February 2026).
7. Prostate Cancer UK. Introduction to tests. [online] Available at: <https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information/prostate-tests/introduction-to-prostate-tests> [Accessed 18 February 2026]. 
8. Cancer Research UK. Tests | Prostate cancer | Cancer Research UK. [online] Available at: <https://about-cancer.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/prostate-cancer/getting-diagnosed/tests> [Accessed 18 February 2026].