Prostate cancer causes: what to know

Cancer begins when changes in a cell’s genetic instructions affect how it grows, repairs itself, or dies. In prostate cancer, several changes may build up over time, and a single cause often cannot be identified. Getting older is associated with a higher chance of diagnosis. A close relative with prostate cancer, or a family pattern of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, or other cancers, may suggest inherited risk. An inherited gene change is different from a change found only in the tumour. Lifestyle and health can influence general wellbeing, but blaming yourself for prostate cancer is not justified. Having a risk factor does not mean cancer will develop.

Write down relatives with cancer, their relationship to you, and their age at diagnosis if known. Share this with a clinician, who may discuss earlier assessment or genetic counselling. Do not use urinary symptoms alone to decide the cause: [Difficulty Passing Urine](/symptoms/difficulty-passing-urine/) can result from prostate enlargement, infection, medicines, or other conditions. Discuss a personal assessment through the [Prostate Cancer](/conditions/prostate-cancer/) service, including which tests are appropriate for you.

Arrange an appointment for persistent urinary changes, blood in urine or semen, repeated pain in the back or bones, or a strong family history of cancer. Seek urgent care if you cannot pass urine, have severe pain, fever with urinary symptoms, or feel acutely unwell. These symptoms need assessment even when cancer is not the cause.

Ask which parts of your family history matter and whether genetic counselling is suitable. Ask what symptoms, examinations, or tests would lead to further assessment. Ask which health changes you can work on for general wellbeing without treating them as a guaranteed way to prevent cancer.