About Cancer
Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland, a gland at the base of the bladder. It is the most common cancer in men in the UK.
Most prostate cancers start in the outer gland cells of the prostate. They are called acinar adenocarcinomas. Many of these cancers grow extremely slowly and are not likely to spread. But some can grow more quickly.
Find out more about cancer and how it starts
Our video below explains what prostate cancer is. It lasts for about 2 and a half minutes.
The prostate is a gland at the base of the bladder. It is about the size of a walnut but gets bigger as men get older.
The prostate surrounds the first part of the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. This tube is called the urethra. The urethra also carries semen, which is the fluid containing sperm.
The prostate gland produces a protein called prostate specific antigen (PSA). A blood test can measure the level of PSA.
This diagram shows the position of the prostate gland, bladder and back passage ().
The prostate gland is part of the male . The video below shows the different parts of the male reproductive system. It lasts for 1 minute and 40 seconds.
There are different terms to describe your prostate cancer, and how far it has spread.
Metastatic prostate cancer means that your cancer has spread to another part of your body. For example, to the bones. You might also hear this called advanced cancer.
Your doctor might call it non metastatic prostate cancer, or localised prostate cancer. This means the cancer is only inside the prostate gland. It has not spread to other parts of the body.
Another term you might hear is locally advanced prostate cancer. This means the cancer has broken through the capsule (covering) of the prostate gland. It has spread to nearby tissues, such as the rectum. But it hasn't spread further away to another part of your body.
You need a prostate gland to get prostate cancer. So it mostly affects men. Trans women and non-binary people who are born male (assigned male at birth) can get prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is most common in older men. On average each year 35 out of 100 (35%) new cases are in men aged 75 and over.
It is more common in Black men than in White men. It is less common in Asian men. A man’s risk of developing prostate cancer depends on many factors. These include:
age
genetics and family history
lifestyle factors
other medical conditions
Around 57,900 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the UK each year. In men, it is the most common cancer in the UK.
The number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer has increased over the last 10 years. This is mainly because more people are having PSA tests and the population is getting older.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They ask about your symptoms and examine you. Your GP then decides whether to refer you to a specialist.
You have a number of tests to check for prostate cancer. These may include a digital rectal examination, a PSA blood test, scans and a biopsy.
Doctors use Grade Groups and other information to divide prostate cancer into 5 groups called the the Cambridge Prognostic Group (CPG). The stage tells you the size of the cancer and whether it has spread.
Metastatic prostate cancer means that a cancer that began in the prostate has spread to another part of the body. It is sometimes called advanced prostate cancer.
You may have a choice of treatments such as surgery or radiotherapy. Or your doctor might suggest that they monitor your cancer instead of treatment straight away.
Research is looking into diagnosing and treating prostate cancer. You need to talk to your specialist if there are any trials that you think you might be able to take part in.
Last reviewed: 02 May 2025
Next review due: 02 May 2028
This section has been written, reviewed and updated by Cancer Research UK’s Patient Information Web Team. Thanks to the expert medical professionals and people affected by cancer who have helped to review this information.
Professor Vincent J Gnanapragasam (Professor of Urology and Honorary Consultant Urologist)
Dr Angela Pathmanathan (Consultant Clinical Oncologist)
Fabiola Morales-Azofra (Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse, Uro-Oncology)
Mr Benjamin Lamb (Consultant Urological and Robotic Surgeon)
About Cancer generously supported by Dangoor Education since 2010. Learn more about Dangoor Education
Search our clinical trials database for all cancer trials and studies recruiting in the UK.
Connect with other people affected by cancer and share your experiences.
Questions about cancer? Call freephone 0808 800 40 40 from 9 to 5 - Monday to Friday. Alternatively, you can email us.
