About prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and becomes more likely with age.
The possibility of cancer is always concerning, but many people with prostate cancer have slow growing cancer. It’s possible to live well for years, helped by early diagnosis and advances in treatments.
A small number of people will have more aggressive prostate cancer. A quick and accurate diagnosis helps find fast-growing prostate cancer so it can be treated at the right time.
The prostate is a gland found between the penis and the bladder, and plays an important role in male fertility by producing a fluid that transports and supports semen.
Prostate cancer is a common condition because it’s related to age. People in countries like the UK are living longer, so we’re seeing more cases of prostate cancer.
People with a prostate include:
- Men
- Trans women*
- Non binary people born male
- Some intersex people
* Trans women can still get prostate cancer even if they take hormones. The prostate is not usually removed in genital reconstructive surgery.
Anyone with a prostate can get prostate cancer.
Things that increase your risk include1:
- Age – most people with prostate cancer are aged over 50
- Ethnicity – prostate cancer is more common in Black men than white or Asian men
- Family history – if you have a close relative (father, brother, uncle or grandfather) with prostate cancer
- Weight – being above your healthy weight range (a BMI over 252)
