What should you know about smoking and prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate, a gland below the bladder. Early disease may cause no symptoms. Difficulty passing urine, a weak stream, getting up often at night, blood in urine or semen, or discomfort can occur with prostate cancer, but these symptoms also commonly arise from non-cancerous prostate enlargement, infection, or other urinary problems. Smoking history is one part of a wider health assessment. A clinician may discuss symptoms, examination, prostate-specific tests, and imaging before deciding whether further investigation is needed.

Arrange a review for new, persistent, or worsening urinary changes, and mention any smoking now or in the past. Do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. Support to stop smoking can help protect heart and lung health and may make treatment planning safer. If prostate cancer is confirmed, the appropriate option depends on the cancer's extent, test results, symptoms, and personal priorities. Care may include monitoring, prostate removal surgery, radiotherapy, brachytherapy, or treatment directed at cancer cells that have spread.

Seek prompt care for blood in urine, painful urination, new difficulty passing urine, or urinary symptoms that are steadily worsening. Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine, have fever with urinary pain, develop severe back or bone pain, or feel faint. These signs may reflect infection, blockage, or another urgent problem; they should not be interpreted as proof of prostate cancer.

Ask which tests are appropriate, whether your urinary symptoms could have a non-cancerous cause, and how smoking affects your treatment preparation. If cancer is found, ask how its extent changes the choices between surgery, radiation, monitoring, and systemic treatment.