Prostate cancer: The symptoms to watch out for

The risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer can be worsened by being an unhealthy weight, a study has found.

We take a look at the signs and symptoms to watch out for.

  • What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis found only in men.

It is about the size of a satsuma and is located between the penis and the bladder and surrounds the urethra.

The main function of the prostate is to help in the production of semen.

  • Symptoms of prostate cancer

It is a slow developing cancer so there may be no signs you have it for many years.

Symptoms often only surface when your prostate is large enough to affect the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis).

Most of the problems are associated with urination.

You may notice things like an increased need to urinate, straining while urinating and a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied.

Very rarely, you may have pain when urinating or during sex or notice blood in your urine.

Symptoms that the cancer may have spread include bone and back pain, a loss of appetite, pain in the testicles and unexplained weight loss.

  • Who is at risk?

Credit: Prostate Cancer UK

The risk increases with age and most men diagnosed with the condition are over 50.

If you have a father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer, your risk of getting the disease is two-and-a-half times higher compared to the average man.

Black men are three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men.

  • How common is it?

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.

According to Prostate Cancer UK, more than 47,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that's 130 men every day.

  • What are the tests?

Men who show symptoms are should be offered a blood test to check the level of a protein called PSAA and a rectal examination.