Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: When Should Men Talk to a GP?
Prostate health is not always something men think about until urinary symptoms start interfering with everyday life. Yet some prostate conditions, including prostate cancer, can develop with few or no noticeable symptoms in their early stages.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month provides an opportunity to understand what the prostate does, recognise changes worth discussing with a doctor and consider whether a conversation about prostate cancer testing may be appropriate based on your age and individual risk.
Importantly, urinary symptoms do not automatically mean prostate cancer. Conditions such as benign prostate enlargement and prostatitis can cause similar problems.
If you are concerned about your prostate health in Lismore, a GP can assess your symptoms, review your individual risk factors, and discuss whether further testing is appropriate.
What Is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small gland that forms part of the male reproductive system.
It sits below the bladder and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. The prostate produces fluid that contributes to semen.
The prostate normally grows as men age. This can sometimes affect urinary function without being cancerous.
Common prostate conditions include:
- Benign prostate enlargement
- Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate
- Prostate cancer
Because these conditions can cause overlapping symptoms, a medical assessment is often needed to determine the likely cause.
What Is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells within the prostate begin to grow in an uncontrolled way.
It is the most diagnosed cancer in Australian males. Healthdirect estimates that around 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may not cause serious problems for many years. Others can behave more aggressively and spread to other parts of the body.
This variation is one reason for prostate cancer testing, and treatment decisions need to be personalised.
Does Prostate Cancer Always Cause Symptoms?
No.
Early prostate cancer may cause no noticeable symptoms at all. Symptoms are more likely to appear as the condition progresses, although similar symptoms can also occur with non-cancerous prostate conditions.
Possible symptoms worth discussing with a GP include:
- Needing to urinate more frequently
- Getting up several times during the night to urinate
- A sudden or urgent need to urinate
- Difficulty starting urination
- A weak or interrupted urine stream
- Discomfort when urinating
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Persistent pain in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
These symptoms do not necessarily indicate prostate cancer, but they should not automatically be dismissed as a normal part of ageing.
What Other Conditions Can Cause Urinary Symptoms?
Urinary changes are common in older men, and prostate cancer is only one possible explanation.
Benign Prostate Enlargement
The prostate commonly becomes larger with age.
Benign prostate enlargement can cause symptoms including:
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine flow
- Frequent urination
- Urgency
- Feeling that the bladder has not emptied completely
- Waking at night to urinate
This condition is not prostate cancer and does not mean that cancer will necessarily develop.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis refers to inflammation of the prostate.
Symptoms can include:
- Pain or burning during urination
- Difficulty urinating
- Pelvic or genital discomfort
- Pain during ejaculation
- Fever or chills in some cases
Some types of prostatitis are related to bacterial infection, while others are not.
Because several prostate conditions produce similar symptoms, self-diagnosis is difficult.
When Should Men Talk to a GP About Prostate Health?
Consider seeing a GP if you notice:
- New or persistent changes in urination
- Difficulty starting or maintaining your urine stream
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Persistent pelvic discomfort
- Pain in your lower back, hips or upper thighs
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Any symptom that is new, worsening or concerning
Healthdirect recommends seeing a doctor for changes in urination or concerns about your individual prostate cancer risk.
You can also discuss prostate health even if you have no symptoms, particularly if you have risk factors or questions about PSA testing.
Who Is at Greater Risk of Prostate Cancer?
Risk generally increases with age.
Other factors associated with increased prostate cancer risk include:
Family History
Having a close relative such as a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer can increase your risk, particularly if the cancer was diagnosed at a younger age.
Genetic Factors
Certain inherited genetic changes, including some changes involving the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, can increase prostate cancer risk.
A strong family history involving prostate, breast or ovarian cancer may be worth discussing with your GP.
Ethnicity
Risk also varies between ethnic groups. Healthdirect notes that men of African ancestry have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared with some other populations.
Your GP can help put individual risk factors into context rather than relying on age alone.
What Is a PSA Test?
The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test that measures the amount of PSA in your bloodstream.
PSA is a protein produced by prostate cells.
A higher PSA level can occur with prostate cancer, but it can also be caused by:
- Benign prostate enlargement
- Prostatitis
- Urinary tract infection
- Recent procedures involving the prostate
- Other temporary influences
A raised PSA result does not diagnose prostate cancer. Likewise, prostate cancer can sometimes occur even when PSA levels are not significantly elevated.
Should Every Man Have a PSA Test?
Not necessarily.
Australia does not currently have a population-wide prostate cancer screening program that automatically offers PSA testing to every man of a particular age.
Instead, current Australian guidance emphasises informed discussion and individual risk.
New national clinical guidelines for early prostate cancer detection were released in August 2026, with an increased focus on assessing each person’s risk while reducing unnecessary diagnosis and treatment.
If you do not have symptoms but are considering PSA testing, your GP can discuss:
- Your age
- Family history
- Personal risk factors
- Potential benefits of testing
- Possible limitations and harms
- What may happen if the result is elevated
This allows you to make an informed decision about whether testing is appropriate for you.
Why Isn’t PSA Testing Automatically Recommended for Everyone?
PSA testing can help identify prostate cancer, but it also has limitations.
An elevated PSA does not always mean cancer is present, which can lead to additional investigations and anxiety.
Testing may also detect slow-growing prostate cancers that would never have caused significant health problems during a person’s lifetime. This is known as an overdiagnosis.
Additional tests and treatment can carry their own potential harms.
For these reasons, Australian guidelines recommend balancing the potential benefits of earlier detection against the possibility of unnecessary investigations and treatment.
What Happens If a PSA Result Is Elevated?
An elevated PSA does not automatically mean you have prostate cancer.
Your GP may consider several factors, including:
- Your age
- Previous PSA results
- How elevated the result is
- Symptoms
- Family history
- Other possible causes of the elevated result
Depending on the situation, your doctor may recommend:
- Repeating the PSA test
- Additional blood testing
- Physical examination
- MRI of the prostate
- Referral to a urologist
- Biopsy if further investigation is required
Healthdirect notes that a biopsy is the definitive test used to diagnose prostate cancer, while MRI can help determine whether a biopsy may be needed.
What Is a Digital Rectal Examination?
A digital rectal examination, sometimes called a DRE, involves a doctor gently inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate.
This may help assess the size and characteristics of the prostate.
However, DRE is not recommended as a routine addition to PSA testing for asymptomatic men seeking early detection according to RACGP preventive health guidance.
A GP may still perform an examination when symptoms or clinical circumstances make it appropriate.
Can Prostate Cancer Be Found Before Symptoms Appear?
Yes.
Because early prostate cancer often produces no symptoms, PSA testing may identify some prostate cancers before symptoms develop.
However, the decision to test is not straightforward because prostate cancers vary significantly in how they behave.
Some cancers may require treatment, while others may be monitored rather than treated immediately.
This is why the first step for an asymptomatic man concerned about prostate cancer is often a conversation with a GP about individual risk and the potential advantages and disadvantages of testing.
Does Trouble Urinating Mean Prostate Cancer?
Usually, urinary problems have other explanations.
Benign prostate enlargement is very common as men age and can cause many of the same urinary symptoms associated with prostate disease.
However, because it is not possible to reliably distinguish the cause based on symptoms alone, persistent urinary changes should be medically assessed.
A GP may perform an examination or arrange for urine, blood or other investigations depending on the symptoms.
What About Blood in the Urine?
Blood in the urine should be assessed by a healthcare professional.
There are many potential causes, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, prostate conditions, and diseases affecting the urinary tract.
Although blood in the urine does not necessarily mean prostate cancer, it should not be ignored.
Similarly, blood in semen can have several causes but is worth discussing with your doctor, particularly when it persists or occurs with other symptoms.
Can Men Reduce Their Risk of Prostate Cancer?
There is no guaranteed way to prevent prostate cancer.
However, general health habits remain important for cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and overall wellbeing.
These may include:
- Regular physical activity
- Maintaining a balanced diet
- Avoiding smoking
- Limiting alcohol according to Australian guidelines
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
- Maintaining a healthy weight where appropriate
- Attending recommended preventive health checks
Men should also become familiar with their family medical history where possible, as this can influence conversations about prostate cancer risk.
Prostate Health Is Part of a Broader Men’s Health Check
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month can also be an opportunity to review other aspects of men’s health.
Depending on your age and individual circumstances, a GP may discuss:
- Blood pressure
- Cardiovascular risk
- Cholesterol
- Diabetes risk
- Mental health
- Sexual health
- Bowel screening
- Skin cancer risk
- Vaccinations
- Lifestyle factors
There is no single test package that every man needs.
A men’s health check in Lismore can instead focus on the screenings and health concerns most relevant to your individual circumstances.
When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Care?
Some urinary symptoms need more immediate assessment.
Seek urgent medical advice if you:
- Cannot pass urine
- Develop severe urinary or pelvic pain
- Have significant blood in your urine
- Develop fever or chills alongside urinary symptoms
- Become significantly unwell
An inability to urinate can represent acute urinary retention and requires prompt medical attention.
For a medical emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms occur, they can include urinary changes, blood in the urine or semen, and pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs. These symptoms can also result from non-cancerous conditions.
At what age should men start discussing prostate checks?
There is no single age that applies to every man. Recommendations depend on individual risk, including age and family history. Current Australian guidance supports discussing the potential benefits and harms of PSA testing with a GP rather than automatically screening every man.
Does a high PSA mean prostate cancer?
No. PSA can also increase because of benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, infection, and other factors. Further assessment may be needed to understand an elevated result.
Can you have prostate cancer with a normal PSA?
Yes. PSA testing is useful but is not perfect. Prostate cancer can sometimes occur even when PSA is within an expected range.
Should I see a GP if I urinate frequently at night?
Frequent night-time urination can have several causes, including prostate enlargement, bladder conditions, diabetes, and other medical issues. If it is new, persistent, or affecting your quality of life, discuss it with your GP.
Can a GP arrange prostate cancer testing?
Yes. A GP can review your symptoms and risk factors and discuss whether PSA testing or other investigations are appropriate. If further assessment is needed, they may arrange imaging or refer you to a urologist.
The Bottom Line
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity for men to become more aware of their prostate health in Lismore, but prostate care is not simply about having a test at a particular age.
Early prostate cancer may cause no symptoms, while urinary changes are often caused by conditions other than cancer. That is why individual assessment matters.
If you notice changes in urination, blood in your urine or semen, persistent pelvic discomfort or other concerning symptoms, speak with a GP rather than waiting for them to resolve on their own.
Men without symptoms who are concerned about prostate cancer can also discuss their individual risk and the potential benefits and limitations of PSA testing with a GP at Lismore Doctors. Your doctor can help determine what approach may be appropriate based on your age, family history, and personal circumstances.
