HealthInfo Canterbury

Overview of prostate cancer

  

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand men. Most men who develop prostate cancer are over 65. It's rare in men younger than 55.

If you're 40, the risk of prostate cancer is one in 500. If you're in your 70s, the risk increases to around one in nine. The risk is higher if you have a relative who has had prostate cancer.

You should see your GP if you have problems urinating or any symptoms that might suggest a problem with your prostate. Prostate symptoms usually mean an enlarged prostate.

Many men with prostate cancer have no symptoms. That's why regular checks with your GP are important. The advice on the right age to start checking your prostate varies. But a good guide for most men is to start checking at around 50. If your father or brother has had prostate cancer, your risk of developing prostate cancer is higher. In this case, you should consider being checked from age 40.

A check will usually involve a PSA blood test and a digital rectal exam. To do a digital rectal exam, your GP inserts a lubricated gloved finger into your anal canal. This lets them feel for any abnormalities with your prostate.

  HealthInfo recommends the following pages

• Ministry of Health
  • Getting checked for prostate cancer: Quick guide for men and their families and whānau

    General information about prostate cancer, checks, diagnosis, management and treatments. Aimed at encouraging discussions to help you make decisions about having checks for prostate cancer.

  • Prostate Cancer: More information for men and their families and whānau

    A 24-page booklet with detailed information about prostate cancer, checks, diagnosis, management and treatment options.

• Cancer Society
  • Prostate cancer

    This 45-page booklet has comprehensive information on prostate cancer, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and the after-effects of treatment.

    It includes some information in Māori.

  • Prostate cancer information sheet

    This information sheet has information about prostate cancer in Māori.

    This information is also available in Māori.

• Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand

  The Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand has useful information about the disease including 10 key questions to ask your specialist. It also has details of support groups and events in your area.

On the next page: PSA test

Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by Urology Department, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed August 2018. Last updated September 2019.

Sources

Page reference: 542416

Review key: HIPRH-45800