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What you need to know about prostate cancer

22 October 2025
Smiling man talking with wife and doctor in examination room

It might be small - about the size of a walnut - but the prostate plays a big role in men’s health. In fact, one in five Aussie men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it the most common men’s cancer after skin cancer. 

You can’t 100% prevent prostate cancer, as there are some biological factors that can put you at an increased risk. But there are some common symptoms that could be a sign it’s time to have your prostate checked. That’s why we’re breaking down what you need to know about prostate cancer, so you can understand your risks and take action early with a screening.

What is prostate cancer?

In a nutshell, prostate cancer is when abnormal cells in the prostate grow in an uncontrolled way. These abnormal cells tend to grow slowly and you might not even have symptoms early on or at all. 

What are the prostate cancer symptoms? 

One of the common symptoms of prostate cancer is not being able to pass urine. But there are other prostate cancer symptoms to be aware of, including: 

  • A frequent or sudden urge to urinate 

  • Blood in your urine or semen 

  • Going to the toilet at night to urinate 

  • Feeling like your bladder is full even after urinating 

  • Losing weight unexpectedly 

  • Feeling pain in your bones. 

It’s important to know that these symptoms might overlap with an enlarged prostate, which is quite common as you get older. If you have any of these signs, then it might be a good idea to see your GP. They can arrange a prostate screening to check if it’s cancer or an enlarged prostate. 

How can you test for prostate cancer? 

Unlike some types of cancers, there’s no national screening program for prostate cancer. But you can visit your GP to arrange a prostate cancer check. There are different types of tests you might have:

Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test 

This blood test measures your PSA levels, which can be made by normal and cancerous prostate cells. Your doctor will refer you to a pathologist for the blood test, who will take a blood sample and send it to a lab for testing.  

Digital rectal examination (DRE) 

When you have a DRE, your doctor will gently insert a gloved finger into your rectum. They do this to check the size and condition of your prostate. 

Biopsy 

A biopsy is when a doctor removes small pieces of tissue from different parts of the prostate. They send these samples off to the lab for professionals to examine under a microscope. 

What are the prostate cancer treatment options? 

If you get diagnosed with prostate cancer, there are many treatment options available for you depending on the severity of the cancer. These treatment options include: 

  • Active surveillance, which is when doctors track low-risk prostate cancer. You might have regular PSA tests, DRE’s and biopsies to monitor your cancer 

  • Surgery, which will remove the entire prostate and some of the surrounding tissue 

  • Radiation therapy, which is when doctors use x-rays to try and destroy the cancer so it doesn’t multiply 

  • Chemotherapy, which is when doctors use medicine to destroy or slow down the growth of cancer 

  • Hormone therapy, which is when doctors use medicine to stop the production of testosterone. This can stop the cancer from growing because prostate cancer needs testosterone to spread 

  • Palliative care, which is when you receive care to live life to the fullest while navigating terminal illness. 

Common prostate cancer risk factors 

There are some factors that might put you at a higher risk of having prostate cancer, such as: 

  • Your age, especially if you’re over 50 

  • A family history of prostate, breast or ovarian cancer 

  • A father or brother diagnosed with prostate cancer before they turned 60. 

If any of these factors apply to you, bring it up with your GP. They can advise on whether you should have a screening or not. 

nib is here to support you 

At nib, our goal is to support you to be your healthiest self on your terms. If you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer and are an nib member, you might be eligible for our Health Care at Home program. You can access chemo treatment from the comfort of home or receive palliative care instead. Whatever you need, we’re here to support you however we can.