This blog has been approved by our Medical Director, Dr Deji Akinyooye MBBS MRCGP
Prostate cancer is a prevalent concern amongst men in the UK, with statistics indicating that 1 in 8 men in the UK will get prostate cancer. This risk is even bigger if you are of black ethnicity, over the age of 50 and have a family history of prostate cancer. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at what prostate cancer is, some causes and risks and what happens during a prostate examination.
Where is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small gland located in a man’s lower abdomen, found under the bladder and surrounds the urethra which is a tube that carries urine and semen out of the body. A prostate’s main function is to produce fluid that nourishes and transports the sperm. It is a walnut shape that enlarges with age, leading to common issues such as difficulty urinating. It plays a crucial role in male reproductive health.
How does cancer develop in the prostate?
When an abnormal, malignant growth of cells (also known as a tumour) develops in the prostate, this is known as prostate cancer. Most types of prostate cancers fall under a type of cancer called adenocarcinoma, which is where the cancer develops in the glands. With prostate cancer, it will often grow in the prostate glands or develop from the gland cells in the prostate.
What are the causes and risks of developing prostate cancer?
There are no official known causes for prostate cancer but there are several risk factors that can contribute to prostate cancer. These are:
Obesity
Obesity can increase the risk of prostate cancer as it is not only associated with excess body fat, but also alters levels of numerous hormones including testosterone.When you gain weight, especially significant amounts, the creation of new fat cells massively increases. This results in increasing inflammation, making extra hormones and growth factors which increases the rate of which the cells in our body divide. This division process increases the chances of cancer forming as it can cause a tumour to grow.
Ageing
As we age, some cells may experience changes that affect their ability to divide and repair themselves after damage. This can be caused by various factors, including natural aging processes or external factors like smoking. This cell damage can accumulate over time and increase the risk of cancer. Most cases of cancer in the UK are in people who are aged 50 and over.
Family history
If a family member has had prostate cancer, you are more likely to get it too. This could be your father, brother, grandfather or uncle. You may have inherited faulty genes too that also increase the risk of prostate cancer but this only accounts for a very small amount of cancer cases and is very rare.
Other factors
Some other factors include ethnicity as prostate cancer is more common in Black men, being taller & pesticides.
Symptoms of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is categorised into how fast it grows. It can be aggressive or fast growing and present with a plethora of symptoms or it can be non-aggressive. When prostate cancer is non-aggressive or slow growing it can mean you won’t show any or will have minimal symptoms.
Issues urinating
The earliest and most common sign or symptom of prostate cancer is problems with urination. This could be a slow or weak urinary stream, or the urge to urinate on a frequent basis, especially during the night. You may also see blood present in your urine or semen. It’s important to note that this could be due to other conditions too, but it is vital to see a doctor if you are having issues nonetheless.
Testing & examinations
If you are at high risk of prostate cancer due to any of the cause and risk factors listed above or are enduring irregular symptoms, then the following tests or examinations may be performed:
Examination
An examination is also called a digital rectal examination or DRE. A doctor will put a gloved finger into your rectum to feel for any lumps to feel or to feel if your prostate is larger than it should be for your age. It’s perfectly normal to feel anxious or uncomfortable, but the examination only lasts for a few minutes.
Blood test
A blood test called a PSA test may be performed to measure the amount of prostate specific antigen in your blood. This is a protein made by normal cells and cancerous prostate cells. Men have some PSA in their blood, but if the test comes back and identifies that the PSA levels are higher than usual, it could be a sign or prostate cancer.
Referral to a specialist
After receiving an examination or blood test, your healthcare professional may refer you to a specialist to perform further tests. This will include an MRI, CT scan or even a biopsy.
Book an Appointment at The Medical Hub
At the Medical Hub, we have provide GP services alongside health screening & MOT services that ensure thorough examinations, testing or expert advice for those concerned about symptoms that are potentially indicative of prostate cancer.
Health Screen & MOT
A comprehensive health screen & MOT can outline any risks that could lead to prostate cancer such as obesity. A healthcare professional will perform various tests, including a panel of 30+ blood tests that can check your thyroid, cholesterol and more.
GP Services
If you are tackling symptoms such as issues urinating, we’d recommend booking a GP appointment so that a healthcare professional can work with you to figure out the cause. They can also provide advice and refer you to specialist if required.
