Prostate cancer is a condition where cells in the prostate gland grow in an uncontrolled way. The prostate is a small gland found just below the bladder, and prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men. It often grows slowly, but some types can be more aggressive, which is why knowing when to seek screening is important.

This page outlines the key risk factors to be aware of, explains what to expect from screening (including PSA testing), and guides you on how to access screening through our practice. It also brings together trusted resources to help you find clear, reliable information and support as you consider your options.

• Getting older — Prostate cancer becomes more common with age, especially over 50.

• Ethnicity — Black men have a higher risk and may develop prostate cancer at a younger age; risk is lower in Asian men.

• Family history — Having a father, brother, or close relative with prostate cancer increases risk, particularly if they were diagnosed young or if several relatives are affected.

• Inherited genes — Certain inherited gene changes (such as BRCA2, BRCA1, or those linked to Lynch syndrome) can raise risk.
  
  Use Prostate Cancer UK's online tool to check your risk in 30 seconds or get in touch with their dedicated Risk Information Service to find out more.

Trans and non‑binary patients who were assigned male at birth still have a prostate, which means they can develop prostate cancer even if they have undergone gender‑affirming surgery or are taking feminising hormones. 

Trusted organisations such as Prostate Cancer UK explain that hormone therapy may lower—but not remove—the risk, so it’s important to stay aware of symptoms and consider whether screening, including PSA testing, is right for you.

Visit Prostate Cancer UK for more information and resources.

Prostate cancer symptoms only happen when the cancer is large enough to press on the tube that carries the urine from the bladder (urethra). If the cancer is in the early stage it may not cause any symptoms.

The prostate gland can also become enlarged due to a prostate condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is non-cancerous.

If you do notice changes in the way you urinate, this is more likely to be a sign of a very common non-cancerous problem called an enlarged prostate, or another health problem. But it’s still a good idea to get it checked out.

Possible symptoms include:

• difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
• a weak flow when you urinate
• a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly
• dribbling urine after you finish urinating
• needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
• a sudden need to urinate – you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.

How to access screening
Contact the reception team to request prostate cancer screening.

• They will provide an information pack that includes:
  • Details about the screening process to help you make an informed decision
  • A questionnaire to assess your risk of prostate cancer   
  • A specimen bottle for a urine sample

What to do next
If you decide to proceed with screening, reception will arrange an appointment for your blood test. You should bring:

• Your completed questionnaire (or complete it online beforehand)
• A urine sample in the provided bottle

What happens after your appointment
A doctor will review your blood test, urine sample, and questionnaire together. If anything in your results needs further discussion or investigation, the practice team will contact you to arrange an in‑person appointment with a doctor.

As part of our practice information pack, we include and strongly encourage patients to read through this PSA Advice Leaflet.

Making an informed decision about prostate cancer screening matters because the test has both potential benefits and limitations, and understanding these helps ensure the choice aligns with your values and circumstances.

Screening can detect prostate cancer early, but it can also lead to overdiagnosis and unnecessary investigations or treatment for cancers that may never have caused harm. We believe that you should have access to clear, evidence‑based information about the condition, the testing process, and the possible outcomes so they can weigh up the benefits and uncertainties in a way that feels right for you. 

Prostate Cancer UK is a leading national charity dedicated to improving the lives of men affected by prostate cancer through clear information, specialist support, and ongoing research. Their resources are designed to help people understand prostate cancer from the earliest questions about risk and symptoms through diagnosis, treatment, and life after treatment.