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Prostate cancer

10-minute read

Key facts

  • Prostate cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow in the prostate, part of the male reproductive system.
  • Some prostate cancers spread quickly, but most grow slowly.
  • Symptoms of prostate cancer include problems with urination and pain in the lower back, upper thighs or hips.
  • Your chances of getting prostate cancer can be affected by your family history, ethnicity and age.
  • Treatments for prostate cancer include regular monitoring, surgical removal, radiation therapy and androgen (hormone) deprivation therapy.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is when abnormal cells grow in the prostate. The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in males in Australia. It affects up to 1 in 7 males.

Most types of prostate cancer are slow-growing and can be managed with treatment. Most males can live with prostate cancer for many years without serious issues. Less common types of prostate cancer spread quickly and may be fatal.

The prostate, usually the size of a golf ball, sits below the bladder and produces fluid for semen.

Prostate cancer forms when cells in the prostate gland grow abnormally, creating a tumour.

As you become older, your prostate can also grow for other reasons (not related to cancer). For example, prostatitis (an inflammation of the prostate gland) or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BHP). Both of these conditions are common in older males.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

If you have prostate cancer, you may not notice any symptoms until the tumour grows to a certain size.

Some symptoms of prostate cancer include:

Many people have these symptoms without having prostate cancer, but if you notice any symptoms, it’s important to check with your doctor.

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

What causes prostate cancer?

It isn’t always clear what causes prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is more common as you get older. It is also more common if a close relative, such as your parent, sibling or child, was diagnosed with prostate cancer before 65 years of age.

Your ethnicity plays a role too. Caucasian males are more likely to develop prostate cancer than Asian males. African males have the highest risk of death from prostate cancer.

A very small number of prostate cancers are caused by a mutation in a gene, called BRCA1 or BRCA2. These genes can increase the risk of prostate, breast and ovarian cancer. If you have close relatives who have been diagnosed with these cancers, talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested.

Living with obesity increases your risk of having a type of prostate cancer that spreads quickly.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor if you notice any changes when you urinate. Changes do not necessarily mean you have cancer, but finding prostate cancer early improves your chance of treating it successfully.

If you don’t have any symptoms, but are worried about your risk, see your doctor. They can give you information about whether prostate cancer screening is right for you.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

How is prostate cancer diagnosed?

There are several tests your doctor may perform to check your prostate:

If these tests suggest that you may have prostate cancer, a prostate biopsy can confirm the diagnosis. Your doctor will refer you to a urologist, who will take some cells from your prostate using a thin needle. These cells are checked under a microscope to look for signs of cancer.

Prostate cancer is graded on a scale of 1 to 5. This scale shows how likely the cancer is to grow and spread to the rest of the body. Grades 4 to 5 are considered high risk.

Should I have prostate cancer screening?

There is no nationwide prostate cancer screening program in Australia. Routine PSA tests to screen for prostate cancer are not recommended for most males.

There are several reasons for this:

You should speak to your doctor if you have symptoms or a family history of prostate cancer. Your doctor can help you decide if prostate cancer screening is right for you.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How is prostate cancer treated?

Treatment options for prostate cancer depend on:

Your doctor may discuss these options for treatment:

Each treatment has its benefits and risks. It is important to speak with your doctor or specialist if you have any questions or concerns about your surgery or treatment.

What are the complications of prostate cancer and its treatment?

Treatments for prostate can cause side effects and other complications. You might experience the following effects:

Living with prostate cancer

Being diagnosed with prostate cancer can be worrying. If you’re feeling anxious about how prostate cancer might impact your life, talk to your doctor about getting support.

Resources and support

For more information and support, visit the following organisations:

Do you prefer languages other than English?

These websites offer translated information about prostate cancer:

Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?

Read more on cancer in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People on the Our Mob and Cancer website.

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