Prostate Cancer: Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the UK. Because it develops slowly, many men do not experience any noticeable symptoms in the early, most treatable stages.

Not all prostate cancers are life-threatening — many are incidental findings that never affect lifespan. The goal of modern urology is to identify the aggressive, high-risk cancers that will shorten life and act early.

Recognising the Symptoms

• A weak or interrupted urine flow
• Hesitation or delay before starting to urinate
• Pain or burning during urination
• Dribbling after finishing
• Waking more than twice a night to urinate (nocturia)
• Blood in the urine — always requires urgent assessment

More advanced symptoms can include pelvic or lower back pain, unexplained fatigue and sudden weight loss.

Prostate Cancer Screening in the UK

There is no national screening programme, but men aged 50+ can request a PSA blood test after discussion with their GP. PSA is useful but not always accurate on its own.

How Is It Diagnosed?

• Multiparametric prostate MRI (mpMRI) — the gold-standard imaging
• MRI-guided targeted biopsies
• Genetic testing where hereditary risk is suspected

Who Is at High Risk?

• A strong family history of prostate or breast cancer (BRCA genes)
• Men over 60
• Men of Black African or Black Caribbean descent

Treatment Options

• Active surveillance for low-risk, slow-growing disease
• Surgery (prostatectomy)
• Radiotherapy and hormone therapy
• Chemotherapy for advanced or widespread disease