September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month—an opportunity to encourage men to understand their prostate cancer risk, recognise concerning symptoms and have informed conversations with their doctors.
The 2026 campaign theme, “Partners in Care: Through Diagnosis. Through Treatment. Together.”, highlights an important reality: prostate cancer is not a journey that a man has to face alone. Family members, partners, caregivers and healthcare professionals can all play an important role from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra and plays a role in the male reproductive system.
Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the prostate grow abnormally and uncontrollably.
Prostate cancer can behave differently from one person to another. Some cancers may grow slowly, while others can be more aggressive. This is why understanding individual risk and getting appropriate medical evaluation matters.
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), more than 1.5 million prostate cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2024, making prostate cancer the second most commonly occurring cancer in men globally that year.
Why can prostate cancer be difficult to notice early?
One of the challenges with prostate cancer is that early-stage disease may not cause noticeable symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they can sometimes look similar to symptoms caused by benign prostate enlargement or other urinary conditions.
Possible symptoms can include:
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Frequent urination, particularly at night
- Blood in urine or semen
- Painful urination
- Erectile difficulties
- Persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis
Having these symptoms does not automatically mean you have prostate cancer. They can have several other causes. However, persistent or unusual symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.
Who may have a higher risk?
Risk increases with age, and family history can also be important.
Men with a father, brother or son who has had prostate cancer may have a higher-than-average risk. Certain inherited genetic changes, including BRCA-related variants, can also increase risk.
This is why knowing your family history is important.
If prostate cancer has affected close family members, discuss your risk with a urologist rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
What is the PSA test?
You may have heard of the PSA test when discussing prostate health.
PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by prostate cells. A blood test measures the level of PSA in the blood.
However, an elevated PSA does not automatically mean prostate cancer. PSA can also increase because of benign prostate enlargement, prostatitis and other factors.
That is why PSA results need to be interpreted in the context of your age, symptoms, risk factors and other clinical findings.
Does every man need a PSA test?
Not necessarily.
There is no single screening approach that is appropriate for every man. Decisions about PSA-based screening should take into account factors such as age, family history, individual risk and the potential benefits and harms of testing.
If you’re considering prostate cancer screening, speak with a urologist about whether testing is appropriate for you.
What happens if PSA is elevated?
An elevated PSA does not mean that cancer is definitely present.
Depending on the situation, your doctor may recommend repeating the PSA test, performing a clinical examination, using additional blood or urine tests, or obtaining imaging such as an MRI of the prostate.
If there is sufficient concern, a prostate biopsy may be recommended to determine whether cancer is present.
The important point is:
One abnormal test does not equal a cancer diagnosis.
Proper evaluation is essential.
If prostate cancer is diagnosed, what happens next?
Treatment depends on several factors, including:
- The stage of the cancer
- Grade and aggressiveness
- PSA level
- Whether the cancer has spread
- Overall health
- Age and personal circumstances
- Patient preferences
Depending on the individual situation, management may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or other treatments.
There is no single treatment that is right for every patient.
Why “Partners in Care” matters
A prostate cancer diagnosis can affect more than the patient.
It can affect a spouse, partner, children and other family members. Treatment decisions may involve discussions about urinary function, sexual health, fertility, recovery and long-term follow-up.
Having open conversations with your healthcare team and loved ones can help you understand your options and make informed decisions.
The 2026 theme—“Partners in Care: Through Diagnosis. Through Treatment. Together.”—puts this shared journey at the centre of prostate cancer awareness.
Don’t wait for symptoms to take your prostate health seriously
Prostate cancer may not cause obvious symptoms in its early stages.
That makes awareness of your personal risk and informed discussions about screening particularly important.
This Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, take a few minutes to:
- Know your risk.
- Know your family history.
- Know your prostate.
- Talk to your urologist.
And if you have persistent urinary symptoms, blood in your urine or semen, unexplained pelvic/back pain, or concerns about your prostate health, don’t ignore them.
Early evaluation can help you understand what is actually happening and what steps, if any, are appropriate next.
About Dr. Yogesh Kaje
Dr. Yogesh Kaje is an MCh Urologist, Urosurgeon and Robotic Surgery Expert at Ashirwad Urology & Pain Management Centre, Kharadi, Pune.
