Management of Prostate Cancer
Written by Online and Community Nurse Laura Kiernan, Marie Keating Foundation
Source: Irish Pharmacy News, March 2026, page 70.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer affecting men in Ireland, after skin cancer, with around one in every six men diagnosed at some point in their lives. More than 4,000 men receive a diagnosis each year, yet it remains a topic many find difficult to talk about.
The good news is that prostate cancer is often highly treatable, particularly when it is detected early. 3
The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder. It produces fluid for semen. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in this gland begin to grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour. It often develops slowly and may not cause symptoms in the early stages, which is why it can go unnoticed. 3
Understanding the basics, recognising possible symptoms, and having open conversations with healthcare professionals or trusted supports can make a real difference, because when prostate cancer is caught early, survival rates are over 90%. 1
Risk Factors & Symptoms
A risk factor is something that increases the likelihood of developing a cancer, but it does not mean that you will develop it. Likewise, having no known risk factors does not completely remove the risk. 5
Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age Most prostate cancers are diagnosed in men over 50. You can develop it younger, but it is much less likely. 12
- Family history Men with a father or brother who has had prostate cancer are about 2.5 times more likely to develop it. 12
- Genes Having a family history of prostate or breast cancer, or testing positive for a BRCA gene, can increase your risk. These gene changes in male or female relatives are an important sign that monitoring and discussion with a doctor may be needed. 12
- Ethnicity Black men have a significantly higher risk of developing prostate cancer, with one in four diagnosed in their lifetime. 12
- Lifestyle factors Smoking, excess alcohol intake, and poor lifestyle habits are linked to increased cancer risk. Living a healthy lifestyle and seeking support when needed is important for overall health. 2
Symptoms to pay attention to:
- Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine 6
- Passing urine more often than usual, especially at night 6
- Difficulty passing urine, including straining, dribbling, or stopping and starting 6
- Feeling of not emptying your bladder fully 6
- Pain when passing urine 6
- Blood in the urine or semen 6
Do not dismiss these symptoms as “just ageing.” If you experience any of them, speak to your doctor. It’s important to note that many of these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than cancer, so don’t panic – but do get checked. 4
Early detection
Some men with prostate cancer experience no symptoms at all, this is why early detection is so important. The first sign may be found during a routine health check. 9
When to talk to your doctor about PSA testing:
- If you are 50, or 45 with a family history of Prostate Cancer you should be talking to your doctor about PSA testing, even if you have no symptoms.
- If you have one of the risk factors above, it might be wise to start getting PSA testing done earlier. Please speak with your doctor. 12
What is a PSA test?
The PSA test is a blood test used to measure the PSA (protein specific antigen) level in your blood.
A raised PSA level can be a sign of prostate cancer but more often it is caused by something less serious like an infection or an enlarged prostate. A raised PSA is not a diagnosis, but it can signal the need for additional tests. 6
It is okay to ask your doctor for the test. Talking openly about prostate health helps to normalise the conversation.
The most important message is that early detection is crucial.
Without treatment or monitoring, cancerous cells can spread beyond the prostate. Finding changes early helps doctors to choose the best care, with the least side effects, and may help protect your quality of life. 11
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you have concerning symptoms or a raised PSA, your doctor may refer you for further testing with a consultant called a Urologist.
You may receive an appointment for a Rapid Access Prostate Clinic. These clinics were set up by the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) to ensure men up to 70 years of age can be seen quickly, diagnosed, and offered treatment as soon as possible. There are eight centres around Ireland. 7
Several tests may be carried out to gather more information, such as a Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, Computed Tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound or Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan. 13
A biopsy is needed to confirm whether prostate cancer is present7. If cancer is diagnosed, your consultant will work with you to decide the best treatment plan.
For some men, this may involve surgery, radiotherapy, drug treatments, or regular monitoring, referred to as Active Surveillance if the cancer is slow growing. 13
Early detection and awareness remain vital. Advances in treatment mean there are now more options than ever, including new therapies for advanced prostate cancer.10 Many men are treated successfully and return to their normal routines, but some may experience unwanted side effects such as Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and /or Urinary Incontinence (UI) and shortening of the Penis. Talking about these side effects is really important so that you can be referred to the appropriate specialist’s support that can help manage these challenges and improve quality of life.
Living with prostate cancer or adjusting after treatment can be physically and emotionally challenging. There are many helpful support services in Ireland, please reach out.
Support
Please go to your doctor if you have any concerns, it is better to have these symptoms checked out early and remember that early detection saves lives. Many cancers can be treated and potentially cured if caught early. If you are in the process of having treatment, always ask to speak to a cancer/urology specialist Nurse who can help and support you during this process.
For more information and support around prostate cancer or any of the most common cancers please go to www.mariekeating.ie or reach out to info@mariekeating.ie with any questions you might have.
