Prostate cancer symptoms develop slowly so there may be no signs you have the disease for many years.
Symptoms often only become apparent when the prostate is large enough to affect the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis).
When this happens, you may begin to notice symptoms, many of which are linked to your pee.
The NHS outlines three you may notice – the first being an increased need to pee.
The second is straining while you pee and the third is a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied.
But the health body does add: “These symptoms should not be ignored, but they do not mean you have prostate cancer.
“It’s more likely they’re caused by something else, such as prostate enlargement.”
So what are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer?
The medical term for an enlarged prostate is benign prostatic enlargement.
If the prostate becomes enlarged, it can place pressure on the bladder and urethra, affecting how you pee.
According to the NHS, this can cause difficulty starting to pee, a frequent need to pee, and difficulty fully emptying your bladder.
Symptoms of prostate cancer include: needing to urinate more frequently, often during the night, needing to rush to the toilet, difficulty in starting to pee (hesitancy), straining or taking a long time while urinating, weak flow, and feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully.
Are you more likely to get prostate cancer with an enlarged prostate?
Having an enlarged prostate doesn’t increase your risk of getting prostate cancer, according to Prostate Cancer UK.
The charity says: “The two problems usually begin in different parts of the prostate. But men can have an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer at the same time.”
But if you are worried about prostate cancer you should talk to your GP.
How is prostate cancer treated?
Treatment for an enlarged prostate will depend on the severity of your symptoms – if your symptoms are mild you may be advised to make lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and exercising regularly.
For many men with prostate cancer, no treatment will be necessary, just active surveillance will be required.
If prostate cancer does progress, and depending on the individual circumstance, a cancer care team will be best to advise what treatment is available.
You could lower your risk of prostate cancer by adding these foods to your diet.