Information about prostate cancer

What is prostate cancer ?

  • The prostate is a gland. It sits beneath the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The gland increases in size as men get older.

  • The prostate’s main job is to help make semen – the fluid that carries sperm.

  • Who has a prostate: men, transwomen, non-binary people who were registered male at birth, some intersex people.

  • Prostate cancer can develop when cells in the prostate become abnormal. This means your cells start to grow in an uncontrolled way.

  • It is not understood why the cells become abnormal, but risk factors include:

    • Advanced age
    • Family history
    • Obesity

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer ?

In many instances there are no symptoms of prostate cancer but, as the disease progresses, some symptoms may include:

  • Needing to urinate more often.

  • Difficulty commencing urinating.

  • Weak flow when urinating.

  • A sudden need to urinate.

  • Dribbling urine after you finish urinating.

Testing for prostate cancer

In Australia, it is currently recommended that testing begins from 50 years old until 69 years. The test to occur every two years. It is also recommended that men with a history of prostate cancer in their family commence testing at 45 years old to 69, every two years.

There is significant debate about prostate cancer screening (screening = before any signs or symptoms of the disease). This is because many prostate cancers that are detected are low risk (the slow growing type) and would never have caused harm to the man, but testing for and treating these cancers can cause harm.

Because of these issues, population-based screening is not recommended in Australia, and there is no government organised national population prostate cancer screening program like there are for other cancers such as breast and bowel cancer. Prostate Care recommends you consult with your medical practitioners regarding your concerns around the PSA test.

  • A simple blood test is the easiest way to identify if there are any concerns the medical practitioners should be aware relating to the prostate.

  • The Prostate Specific antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by normal as well as malignant cells. The blood level of the PSA is usually increased in people with prostate cancer. The PSA test is the simplest way to detects higher than normal levels of the PSA

  • The PSA blood test can be conducted through your general practitioner. Where there are increased levels of PSA found through the blood test, digital rectal exam may be suggested.

Our impact so far

Our impact so far delivered numerous awareness raising sessions, including:

  • Sessions on building awareness of prostate cancer – reminding men that its not just an old man’s disease, to get tested early and on a regular basis.

  • Sessions on building quality of life post prostate cancer diagnosis.

  • Delivered numerous tailored supports to individuals facing prostate cancer.

We are keen to do more