Prostate cancer

There were 1,137 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in Northern Ireland in 2016. Men under 50 have a very low risk of prostate cancer, but their risk increases as they get older. Age is the strongest risk factor for prostate cancer. It’s estimated that about 80% of men in their 80s will have some degree of prostate cancer. The earlier a cancer is picked up, the easier it is to treat it and the more likely the treatment is to be successful.

Signs and symptoms

The symptoms of both benign enlargement of the prostate gland and malignant tumours (cancer) are similar and can include any of the following:

  • difficulty passing urine;
  • needing to pass urine very often (frequency) especially at night;
  • needing to pass urine very suddenly (urgency);
  • pain when passing urine;
  • blood in the urine.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important that you see your GP. 

Prostate cancer: Robert's story

Resources

There are a number of websites that provide information relating to prostate cancer, these include:

This is not an exhaustive list and other sources of support in Northern Ireland can also be accessed via Northern Ireland Cancer Network(link is external) and Useful links | Be Cancer Aware.

Signs and symptoms