Men are being urged to learn their risk of prostate cancer rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, as the disease can develop in its early stages without obvious warning signs. Around 68,000 men are diagnosed with the condition in the UK each year, making it the most prevalent cancer among men, yet many may remain unaware of their heightened risk until the disease is detected.
Why knowing your risk matters
Understanding the factors that increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer can help men take a more proactive approach to their health, according to Dr Jiri Kubes, medical director at the Proton Therapy Centre. Speaking to a GP about whether further investigation is warranted could prove genuinely beneficial, he adds.
"One of the biggest challenges with prostate cancer is that men can feel perfectly well while the disease is developing. Waiting until something feels wrong is not necessarily the best approach, particularly for men who already have recognised risk factors," says Dr Kubes.
Key risk factors: age, ethnicity and family history
Dr Kubes highlights three significant risk factors that men should be aware of: age, ethnicity and family history. Prostate cancer becomes increasingly common as men grow older, with the risk rising considerably after the age of 50. Men of Black African or Black Caribbean heritage face a greater risk and are more likely to be diagnosed at a younger age. Having a close family member, such as a father or brother, who has had prostate cancer can also heighten the likelihood of developing it.
A family history of certain other cancers, including breast and ovarian cancer, may also be relevant due to inherited genetic changes. Approximately one in eight men will be diagnosed with the disease during their lifetime, a figure that rises to one in four for Black men, according to Prostate Cancer UK.
"Knowing your family history is particularly important. If your father or brother has had prostate cancer, or there is a history of certain cancers in your family, it is worth discussing this with your doctor, even if you have no symptoms yourself," Dr Kubes says.
Warning signs and next steps
Symptoms such as difficulty passing urine, a more frequent need to urinate or blood in the urine should always be investigated. However, these symptoms can also be caused by non-cancerous conditions, and their absence does not rule out prostate cancer.
According to the NHS, prostate cancer frequently presents no warning signs during its early stages. As the cancer typically develops on the outer portion of the prostate, symptoms generally only emerge if the tumour grows large enough to press against the urethra or spreads to other areas. The health service adds that prostate cancer is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, a small, walnut-shaped gland in the male reproductive system located just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra.
When symptoms do manifest, they most commonly relate to changes in urination or sexual function, including frequent urination, a sudden strong need to urinate, difficulty starting or straining, a weak or interrupted flow, incomplete emptying, blood in the urine or semen, and erectile dysfunction.
For men concerned about their risk, speaking with a GP can help determine whether a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test is suitable. The test measures a protein produced by the prostate gland. A raised result does not necessarily indicate cancer, but it may lead to further investigation, potentially including an MRI scan or biopsy.
Dr Kubes says: "The important thing is for men to be informed, rather than frightened. Understanding your personal risk and discussing the options with a medical professional gives you the opportunity to make decisions about your health based on evidence, rather than waiting for symptoms to appear."
He adds that awareness cannot prevent every case of prostate cancer, nor does having a risk factor mean a man will inevitably develop the disease. However, understanding who is most vulnerable can help men make well-informed decisions about testing and ensure any concerns are addressed before symptoms become the catalyst for seeking medical attention.
