Prostate cancer: What you need to know

After lung cancer, prostate cancer kills more Australian men than any other type of cancer.

As more men live past the age of 70, incidences of prostate cancer increase. But with good awareness and knowing what is and isn’t normal for you, prostate cancer can be detected early and successfully treated. Around 95% of men diagnosed with prostate cancer will survive for at least 5 years.¹

Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow in the prostate gland.

The prostate gland is a small gland below the bladder that produces fluid for semen. Only men or those assigned male at birth have a prostate gland.

Although incredibly rare, there is a form of cancer that women can get in the paraurethral or Skene's glands, the female equivalent of the prostate gland. It is extremely uncommon and only a small number of medical cases have been discovered.²

Because of how rare it is in women; this article will refer only to prostate cancer in men.

Symptoms of prostate cancer can sometimes be dismissed as a normal part of ageing. However, if you are male and noticing any of the following symptoms, it is important to see your GP.

Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer include:³

• accidental leaking of urine or painful, difficult urination
• frequent urination, including at night
• back pain
• bone pain
• difficulty getting an erection
• feeling tired
• unexplained weight loss
• weakness in the arms or legs.

While having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer, it’s important not to ignore something that isn’t normal for you. This is especially true for people who are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer.

Men over the age of 50 are more at risk of prostate cancer, with most being diagnosed between the ages of 60 and 70. Other risk factors include:⁴

1. Age
2. Family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer
3. Obesity
4. Poor diet (high in fat and low in fresh fruit and vegetables).

While it’s uncommon, younger men can get prostate cancer. Those with a family history or other risk factors should discuss this with their GP and see a doctor if they are experiencing symptoms.

Unlike bowel and breast cancer, mass screening tests are not recommended for prostate cancer, despite the high incident rate.

This is for several reasons.

Prostate tests can suggest cancer may be present when it actually isn’t. This can lead to further unnecessary and invasive testing, as well as worry and anxiety for the patient.

Some prostate cancers are small, slow growing and are not immediately harmful. Providing treatment for these cancers may cause other issues such as bowel and erectile dysfunction that impact quality of life more than the cancer might.

Rather than mass screening, it’s recommended that you discuss your family history and other risk factors with your doctor who can indicate whether further testing is right for you.

If you have a close family member who was diagnosed with prostate cancer under the age of 60, your risk is increased.⁵

Because survival rates increase when the cancer is detected and treated early, screening for prostate cancer may be something to consider.

Prostate cancer can be potentially found via 2 tests, a blood test and a physical examination.⁵

While it does not specifically detect cancer, the PSA blood test looks for elevated levels of PSA in the body which may indicate prostate cancer. If the test shows abnormal levels of PSA for your age, further tests will be done to determine if there is cancer present. Elevated levels of PSA do not necessarily mean there is cancer.

No longer recommended for men experiencing no symptoms of prostate problems, a DRE is carried out by a urologist who feels the prostate to looks for signs of abnormalities. If any issues are detected, further tests are carried out.

Further tests may include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy.

Discuss your personal risk factors with your GP who can refer you for tests if appropriate.