It’s incredibly likely that you or someone you know has experienced cancer. The pain it causes to those closest to us, the unbearable silence of hospital waiting rooms, the pamphlets you can feel too overwhelmed to read. It’s painful and life-consuming.
No matter how much we feel that if we ignore something, it will just go away, this is not true. Especially with medical conditions like cancer, where noticing symptoms early can make all the difference. So being able to identify when something doesn't look right is vital.
Often presenting no noticeable warning signs and with no national screening programme, many men find out they have prostate cancer too late.
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‘The prostate is a gland found in men, which helps to make semen, the fluid sperm swim in,’ explains Chiara De Biase, director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK. ‘It is about the size and shape of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube which carries urine out of the body) just underneath the bladder.
‘Prostate cancer is where abnormal cells divide and grow in an uncontrolled way. In England, it is the most common cancer. 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, and Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer. More than 63,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, and over 510,000 men are living with or after prostate cancer.’
Who is at risk of developing prostate cancer?
People with a prostate are at risk of developing prostate cancer. That includes:
- Men
- Non-binary people registered as male at birth
- Trans women
- Some intersex people
Your increased risk is based on three key areas, as Chiara explains: ‘There are three main risk factors that increase a man’s risk of the disease, which are age, being Black, or having a family history of the disease. For Black men, their risk is doubled, as 1 in 4 Black men will get prostate cancer, and they are also twice as likely to die from the disease.
‘You are also more likely to get prostate cancer if you have a family history of it, compared to a man who has no relatives with prostate cancer, and are two and a half times more likely to get prostate cancer if your father or brother has had it.’
Awareness of prostate cancer has improved over time, no doubt because of the incredible work charities do to tackle the stigmas that make people feel ashamed to reach out for help.
Movember is one of those charities. ‘Movember began in 2003 with a simple idea and a big ambition,’ shares Tom Ellis, director of global men’s health promotion initiative at Movember.
‘A group of friends in Australia grew moustaches in November to start conversations about men’s health, conversations that weren’t happening enough at the time. What started as a light-hearted challenge quickly became a global movement, because it tapped into something real: men needed better support, better research, and better outcomes when it came to their health.
‘Today, Movember funds groundbreaking programmes across prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention, with a focus on changing systems, not just raising awareness. Everything we do is driven by evidence, lived experience and the belief that men deserve to live longer, healthier, happier lives.
‘Getting involved can be as simple or as ambitious as you like. Grow a moustache, move your body, host an event, donate, or start a conversation with someone you care about. Visit movember.com to find out how to take part. What matters most isn’t how you show up, it’s that you do. Every conversation, every action, and every contribution helps move men’s health forward.’
What are the symptoms?
Some of the symptoms that may indicate you should seek medical help include:
- Accidentally leaking urine before you begin urinating
- Urinating with a weak flow, where it feels like your bladder hasn’t sufficiently emptied
- Problems getting or maintaining an erection
- Increased frequency of urination
- Waking up multiple times in the night to urinate
It’s easy to fall for misinformation online, particularly when discussing symptoms with people in person can feel daunting or uncomfortable.
Understanding clearly what health information you can trust can be the difference between dismissing and raising a concern with your doctor.
‘Prostate cancer is a complex disease, and one that historically has not been talked about publicly,’ a specialist nurse at Prostate Cancer UK shares.
‘This has meant that there are a number of common myths and misconceptions around the disease that can make it even harder for men to separate fact from fiction, and know what choices are right for them.
‘The most common myths include men thinking that they have to wait for symptoms – like trouble urinating or blood in their urine – before speaking to a GP about prostate cancer, when in fact early-stage prostate cancer often has no symptoms, so it is important to find and have it treated then.
‘There is also often concern around men thinking they have to have a rectal exam to check for prostate cancer, when in fact that is now not the case, and they can have a blood test followed by a scan, and further tests if needed.’
Unfortunately, they’re not the only myths about prostate cancer that people fall for.
Bree Earle, head of impact campaigns at Movember, says: ‘One of the biggest myths is that prostate cancer only affects very elderly men. While risk does increase with age, it’s not just a disease of old age, and younger men can and do get prostate cancer, sometimes with more aggressive forms.
‘Another common misconception is that having prostate cancer always means severe treatment side effects or a poor quality of life. The reality is far more nuanced. Many prostate cancers are slow-growing and may not require immediate treatment, while others are highly treatable when caught early. Advances in detection and treatment mean outcomes today are better than ever.
‘There’s also a deeply ingrained myth that talking about prostate health is embarrassing or somehow unmanly. That silence is incredibly damaging. We know that stigma and discomfort stop men from seeking help, asking questions, or having honest conversations, and that delay can cost lives. At Movember, we’re focused on breaking down those myths so men feel informed, empowered and supported to take charge of their health.’
Prostate cancer is different to prostatitis, which is when the prostate is inflamed.
What does the next step look like?
If you're experiencing symptoms, taking action as soon as possible is something that Amy Rylance, associate director of health services, equity and improvement at Prostate Cancer UK, strongly advises: ‘The earlier you find prostate cancer, the easier it is to treat.
‘Any man worried about their risk should try Prostate Cancer UK's 30-second online risk checker, to understand their personal risk and what they can choose to do about it.
‘And if you're over 50, Black or have a family history of the disease, have a conversation with your GP about your risk and the pros and cons of a PSA blood test, before you decide whether or not to have one. If you decide you want a test, and you are at higher risk, your GP should give you one.’
A Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test looks for protein produced by the prostate in your blood, found in normal and cancerous cells.
Just because you have a high level of PSA protein in your blood, it doesn’t mean that you have prostate cancer.
Cancer Research UK clarifies that a high PSA result may be caused if you’ve had a prostate biopsy or urine infection in the last six weeks, had a digital rectal exam before the test or ejaculated within the last 48 hours.
Amy continues ‘However, a PSA test isn't suitable for everyone. For example, your GP may not recommend it if your general health means you wouldn't be fit enough for treatment for prostate cancer, or if treatment wouldn't help you to live longer.
‘Your risk of developing prostate cancer increases from the age of 50 – or from your 40s if you’re Black and/or have a family history of the disease. There’s not sufficient evidence currently that men below the age of 40 would benefit from PSA testing."
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of your greatest defences against illness, even though it can't prevent every condition entirely.
One small change you can make is consuming fewer products that irritate your bladder. That means cutting back on caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks packed with added sweeteners.
How is prostate cancer linked to mental health?
One man dies every minute of every day around the world through suicide. Taking action to discuss our mental health and emotional wellbeing is an essential part of living a health lifestyle, and attempts to hide poor health can be very damaging.
Encouraging positive, open conversations about topics impacting our mental health is a vital part of living a healthy lifestyle.
We may not ask our friends and family how they’re really doing very often, but it makes a difference.
Research highlights that only 36% of people accessing NHS Talking Therapies, the healthcare resource dedicated to supporting people with their mental health, are men.
This spotlights the gap in men seeking and accessing therapy services in comparison to women.
Frequently talking to a trusted person about sensitive topics can help dismantle the ‘man up’ taboo that has been damaging men’s mental health for decades.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional if you experience symptoms.
Chiara advises: ‘Checking your risk is the first step to understanding your risk and what to do about it. Men can do Prostate Cancer UK’s 30-second online risk checker or call its Risk Information Service on 0800 448 0821.’
Starting an awkward conversation
ALEC is the talking model that starts uplifting, impactful and important conversations that can feel difficult to initiate.
When so many people are impacted by prostate cancer, knowing how to show your support can make people aware that they have someone to turn to when they need them.
‘Our free, interactive digital tool designed to help people feel more confident and effective when starting meaningful chats with the men in their lives,’ explains Tom. ‘It comes from trusted mental health practice and is built around four clear steps: Ask, Listen, Encourage action and Check in.’
‘What makes ALEC so important is that it gives people a practical, structured way to navigate conversations that many of us avoid because they feel awkward or difficult. We know that men, on average, are less likely to seek help or verbalise distress in traditional ways, and that silence and isolation can allow problems to escalate.
‘Opening the door to honest dialogue earlier and doing so in ways that feel natural and compassionate helps shift patterns before someone reaches crisis. Movember Conversations wraps this model in real-world scenarios so people can practice and feel confident stepping up when it matters.’
ALEC stands for:
ASK – That first question of ‘how are you really doing?’ or ‘want to chat about how you’re feeling?’ can be like a lighthouse in a storm for people experiencing or living with cancer.
Don’t be offended if someone doesn't want to talk, but make sure they know you're available to chat if and when they're ready.
‘It’s about genuinely checking in, asking how someone is and noticing changes in behaviour or mood,’ explains Tom. ‘The aim is not to diagnose, but to create an opening where someone feels seen and can begin to share what’s going on for them.
LISTEN – When someone’s speaking about a personal, private matter, they deserve your full attention, so be present. Put your phone down, take your headphones off and hear what they’re saying.
‘Once you’ve asked, Listen means giving your full attention,’ adds Tom. ‘Not waiting to respond but really hearing what they’re saying without judgement. For many men, having someone just listen can be the first step toward feeling understood, because too often their distress has been minimised or dismissed.’
ENCOURAGE ACTION – If they need help, particularly medical help or specific support that you can’t provide, encourage them to actively strive towards it.
Helping someone to feel better could be as small as offering them a lift to a doctor’s appointment or buying them their favourite snack – little, thoughtful actions can go a long way.
Tom says ‘Encourage action comes next. Not to push someone toward a specific solution, but to support them in taking steps that could improve their wellbeing, whether that’s talking to a trusted friend, engaging with professional support, or making small changes to daily life that help them cope.’
CHECK IN – One chat doesn’t make you a saint. Showing up, putting in the work, and being present in that person’s life is the key to being a good friend.
‘Finally, Check in reminds us that one conversation isn’t enough on its own,’ says Tom. ‘Following up, even just a quick message or another catch-up, shows ongoing care and helps break down the isolation many men feel.’
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