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Prostate cancer symptoms don’t usually become apparent until the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (the urethra). When this happens, a man may notice an increased need to pee, straining while peeing, and a feeling the bladder has not emptied fully.

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But not all the symptoms of prostate cancer affect how a person pees.

Another sign to look out for is discomfort or pain when sitting, which is caused by an enlarged prostate.

Pain may be felt in the rectum, lower back, hips, pelvis or thighs.

But an enlarged prostate isn’t always a sign of prostate cancer.

Medically referred to as benign prostate enlargement, an enlarged prostate is common in men aged over 50.

The NHS explains: “It’s not a cancer and it’s not usually a serious threat to health.

“Many men worry that having an enlarged prostate means they have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This is not the case.

“The risk of prostate cancer is no greater for men with an enlarged prostate than it is for men without an enlarged prostate.”

The cause of an enlarged prostate is unknown, but it’s believed to be linked to hormonal changes as a man gets older.

The balance of hormones in the body changes as you get older and this may cause a man’s prostate gland to grow.

The symptoms of an enlarged prostate are:

  • Difficulty starting to pee
  • A frequent need to pee
  • Difficulty fully emptying your bladder

These symptoms are the same as those associated with prostate cancer, so it’s important to see your GP, no matter the cause.

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Other symptoms of prostate cancer to look out for are:

  • Needing to rush to the toilet
  • Straining or taking a long time while peeing
  • Weak flow
  • Blood in urine or blood in semen

What causes prostate cancer?

The exact cause of prostate cancer is not clear, but the risk of developing it depends on a number of things.

Age is one risk factor for developing prostate cancer. Cancer Research UK says: “Prostate cancer is more common in older men. Prostate cancer is most common in men aged 75 to 79 years.

“One in six men in the UK will get prostate cancer at some point in their lives.”

Prostate cancer is more common in black-African men than white men, and being overweight or having a family history of prostate cancer can also increase your risk.

There are a number of tests which can be carried out for prostate cancer. You might have a prostate examination to check for any problems in your prostate.

The prostate specific antigen (PAS) test measures the amount of PSA in your blood. This can help diagnose prostate cancer.

You might have this if you have symptoms or have asked your GP for a test.

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