Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. The cause is unknown but there are certain risk factors. Chances of getting prostate cancer increase with age and it is more common in men of African-Caribbean origin and less common in men of Asian origin, although the reasons for this are not known. This type of cancer is often slow to develop and many men have it for decades before developing symptoms.
Symptoms are very similar to prostatitis (needing to urinate more frequently and urgently, difficulty in starting to urinate or poor flow and feeling you have not completely emptied your bladder). Signs that the cancer is more advanced can be bone and back pain, weight loss and loss of appetite. Treatment can range from observation only (called Watchful Waiting/Active Surveillance), to surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and medicines to help symptoms.
