Symptoms of prostate cancer

How does prostate cancer cause symptoms?

Most prostate cancers start to grow in the outer part of the prostate gland. This means that in the early stages, they don’t press on the urethra. So they don’t change the way you pass urine.

Prostate cancer rarely causes urinary symptoms such as difficulty passing urine. These symptoms are much more likely to be symptoms of a non cancerous condition. This condition is called ​benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)​.

Prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body. This is called advanced or metastatic prostate cancer. It can cause symptoms such as:

• back or bone pain that doesn’t go away with rest

• tiredness

• weight loss for no reason

Find out more about the symptoms of metastatic prostate cancer

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

As men get older their prostate gland enlarges. This is a common condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). As the prostate gland enlarges, it can press on the urethra and bladder. This can affect how you pass urine and cause symptoms such as:

• passing urine more often during the day or night

• a weaker flow when passing urine

• urgency to pass urine

• not emptying your bladder completely

• straining when starting to empty your bladder

BPH does not develop into cancer. But you can have an enlarged prostate at the same time as having areas of cancer cells in the prostate gland. 

It’s important to see your GP if you have symptoms of BPH. The symptoms don't mean that you have prostate cancer, but it is important to get them checked. As part of investigating the cause of the symptoms, you might have a blood test called a PSA test. This is one of the tests doctors use to help diagnose prostate cancer.

Get tips on seeing your GP about your symptoms