What You Need to Know About Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Early Detection, and Prevention Tips

CIF Central Corp.
Sep 1, 2025
3 min read

Updated: Oct 24, 2025

Together, during Prostate Cancer Awareness Week, we come together to learn, listen, and act. Prostate cancer is a subject that often feels difficult to talk about—but awareness can one day be your best ally. Whether you’re just curious or it’s affecting someone you care about, understanding this condition can make all the difference.

1. What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate—a small gland below the bladder that helps produce seminal fluid—begin to grow uncontrollably. While it’s one of the most common cancers in men, most prostate cancers are slow-growing and treatable, especially when detected early.

2. Why Early Detection Matters

Catching prostate cancer early offers the best chance for effective, less invasive treatment and a better quality of life. When localized, survival rates are extremely high—nearly 100% at five years . Early detection allows for treatments ranging from active surveillance to minimally invasive options.

3. Symptoms and Risk Factors to Watch For

Increased frequency of urination (especially at night), difficulty starting or weak flow.
Pain or burning during urination or ejaculation.
Blood in urine or semen, erectile difficulties, unexplained fatigue or weight loss, lingering back or pelvic pain.

Risk Factors to Be Aware Of:

Age: Risk increases notably after age 50.
Ethnicity: Black men face higher incidence, earlier onset, and more aggressive disease.
Family History/Genetics: A first-degree relative with prostate cancer raises your risk.
Lifestyle Factors: Obesity, high-fat diets, smoking, and sedentary behavior may contribute to heightened risk; a healthy lifestyle may lower it.

4. Screening: When and How to Start the Conversation

Common tools include:

PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test, a blood test that may indicate elevated prostate activity.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), where a doctor feels the prostate for abnormalities.

Important Considerations:

There’s no single “gold standard” screening; decisions about when to begin screening should be individualized based on age, risk factors, and personal preferences.
Screening comes with both potential benefits and harms, such as overdiagnosis or side effects from follow-up procedures.

5. Prevention & Lifestyle: What You Can Do

While prostate cancer cannot be completely prevented, adopting healthy habits may lower your risk:

Stay active & manage weight: Regular physical activity and healthy weight are linked to lower risk of aggressive disease.
Eat well: Favor fruits, vegetables (especially cruciferous ones), and a balanced diet; reduce intake of red meat, high-fat dairy, and excessive calcium.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
Emerging factors: Some evidence links frequent ejaculation to lower risk of low-grade prostate cancer, though more research is needed.

Book a Teleconsultation with Our GP Doctors!

You can also book a teleconsultation with one of our GP doctors from the comfort of your home if you have concerns about your ear health. Simply call or email us to schedule an appointment, and our team will guide you through the process.

How to Book a Teleconsultation:

Contact Us: Call or email to book your appointment.
Provide Your Details: Share the following with our customer service representative:
- Full Name
- Date of Birth
- Contact Number
- Email Address
- Preferred Appointment Schedule
- Reason for Consultation
Wait for Confirmation: You’ll receive a confirmation via text or email with your appointment details and payment instructions.
Prepare for Your Consultation: Ensure you are available at the scheduled time. After the consultation, prescriptions or diagnostic results will be sent to your email.