- 4 min read
The symptoms, risk factors and facts and figures of prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia, with more than 25,000 men newly diagnosed each year. Fortunately, prostate cancer is slow-growing and if detected early enough you have an excellent chance of survival.
Knowing the symptoms and risk factors helps to detect prostate cancer earlier and reduces the number of men dying from this disease every day. With early detection, treatments are more effective, and outcomes are more positive.
This section of your toolkit explains the symptoms, risk factors and facts and figures of prostate cancer in Australia so you and your loved ones can be more informed, and we can all be proactive in battling this disease.
Symptoms: know what to look out for
In the early stages of prostate cancer, you may have no symptoms, or you may have general urinary changes that you don’t think are important or you just put down to other factors such as being older. Knowing the possible symptoms of prostate cancer can help detect and diagnose this disease early and improve your treatment outcomes.
Find out what symptoms you need to look out for as you age and learn what other non-cancerous conditions can cause similar issues, so you can detect or rule out prostate cancer early.
Symptoms
Risk Factors: find out if you could be at risk
The causes of prostate cancer may not be known but there are two proven risk factors: age and family history. Knowing your risk factors may mean starting PSA testing at a younger age.
Find out what the risk factors are for prostate cancer and what your level of risk might be, depending on your genetics and family history.
Risk Factors
Facts & Figures: discover key information and statistics
It is estimated that over 25,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023. Of those men, most will be aged between 60 and 69 years old. Knowing these facts and figures helps us understand how many people in our lives are affected by this disease and may help to promote awareness and improve detection methods, early diagnosis and advancements in treatments.
Find out the latest facts and figures on prostate cancer in Australia.
Facts & Figures
Your questions answered
Are there symptoms specific to prostate cancer that I can look out for?
There are no symptoms specific to prostate cancer, but as you get older it’s a good idea to see your doctor if you have any urinary symptoms, changes and/or problems with urination, pain or unexpected weight loss or tiredness. Follow the link to Symptoms to find out more about what to look out for.
I have been diagnosed with benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Am I more at risk of prostate cancer?
Almost half of all men over 50 have an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). This is not cancerous or life threatening. BPH doesn’t increase your risk, but you can have it at the same time as prostate cancer. Learn more by following the link to Symptoms.
I don’t have any symptoms but my father had prostate cancer, am I at risk?
If your father has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, you may have twice the average risk of developing the disease. It’s important to talk to your doctor. They will look at your family and medical history, assess your level of risk and discuss whether PSA testing is right for you. Find out more by following the link to Risk Factors.
Does early diagnosis really matter?
Yes. If your prostate cancer is caught early, you have a greater chance of survival compared to men who are diagnosed with late-stage cancer. Early detection and treatment have been and remain crucial for reducing death rates and increasing the chances of survival for men with prostate cancer. Follow the link to Facts & Figures to see the statistics.
I am a transgender woman. Can I get prostate cancer?
While this toolkit uses male pronouns, anyone with a prostate can get prostate cancer, including transgender women, male-assigned non-binary people and intersex people.
