Be prostate cancer aware
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland. It is usually the size and shape of a walnut and grows bigger as you get older. It sits underneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine (wee) out of the body. The prostate's main job is to help make semen – the fluid that carries sperm.
The most common prostate problems are an enlarged prostate, prostatitis and prostate cancer.
If you are a trans woman, male-assigned non-binary or intersex, some of this information is still relevant to you – but your experience may be slightly different. Find out more about trans women and prostate cancer on the Prostate Cancer UK website.
Signs/ symptoms that something isn't right
Prostate cancer doesn't usually cause any symptoms until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the tube that carries urine (wee) from the bladder out of the penis (urethra).
Symptoms of prostate cancer can include:
- needing to pee more frequently, often during the night
- needing to rush to the toilet
- difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy)
- straining or taking a long time while peeing
- weak flow
- feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully
- blood in urine or blood in semen
These symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer. Many men's prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement.
Signs that the cancer may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unintentional weight loss.
If you have symptoms that could be caused by prostate cancer, you should visit a GP.
Testing for prostate cancer
There's no single, definitive test for prostate cancer. The GP will discuss the pros and cons of the various tests with you to try to avoid unnecessary anxiety.
The GP is likely to:
- ask for a urine sample to check for infection
- take a blood sample to test your level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – called PSA testing
- examine your prostate by inserting a gloved finger into your bottom – called digital rectal examination
Your doctor will assess your risk of having prostate cancer based on a number of factors, including your PSA levels and the results of your prostate examination, as well as your age, family history and ethnic group.
If you're at risk, you should be referred to hospital to discuss the options of further tests.
MRI scan
If you have a raised PSA level, your doctor may refer you to hospital for an MRI scan of your prostate. If the scan shows a problem, it can be targeted later with a biopsy.
Biopsy
There are a few types of biopsy that may be used in hospital, including the following.
Transperineal biopsy
This is where a needle is inserted into the prostate through the skin behind the scrotum. It's usually done under a general anaesthetic (while you're asleep). It has the advantage of a reduced risk of infection.
A transrectal biopsy
During this biopsy, an ultrasound probe (a machine that uses sound waves to build a picture of the inside of your body) is inserted into your rectum. This allows the doctor or specialist nurse to see where to pass the needle to take small samples of tissue from your prostate.
This procedure can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, so you may be given a local anaesthetic to numb the area and minimise any discomfort. As with any procedure, there may be complications, including bleeding and infection.
A biopsy may also be taken during a cystoscopy examination.
Treatment for prostate cancer
Your treatment will depend on a number of factors including how big the cancer is, whether it has spread anywhere else in your body and your general health. A team of doctors and other professionals will discuss the best treatment and care for you.
Read more about treatment options
Image credit: Gus Moretta, Unsplash
