Prostate cancer

Last updated: 4 April 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the Elfcare quality team

Needing to urinate more often at night, or noticing changes in flow or comfort? Many men experience this as they get older, often without realising it could be linked to prostate health.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men and one of the most treatable when found early.It tends to grow slowly and cause no symptoms early on, which is exactly why screening matters so much.

Elfcare's pelvic MRI and PSA blood test together provide a substantially clearer picture of prostate health than PSA testing alone.

Book a consultation to get your health tested

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It produces fluid that nourishes and protects sperm.

Prostate cancer happens when cells in the prostate begin to grow abnormally. Most cases progress slowly and stay confined to the gland, while others can grow or spread more quickly.

As the gland changes, it can affect urination, sexual health, and general energy.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

Early prostate cancer typically causes no symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they usually reflect local growth or spread.

Common symptoms include:

  • Frequent urination, especially at night

  • Difficulty starting or maintaining urine flow

  • Weak or interrupted urine stream

  • Feeling that the bladder isn’t fully empty

  • Blood in urine or semen

  • Discomfort or pain in the pelvic area

Less common or long-term signs may include:

  • Unexplained fatigue

  • Back or hip discomfort

  • Unintended weight loss

Many of these symptoms overlap with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PSA and MRI together help distinguish between the two.

What causes prostate cancer?

No single cause is identified, but several factors significantly influence risk:

  • Age: risk increases after 50, and the majority of cases occur in men over 65.

  • Family history and genetics: a first-degree relative with prostate cancer doubles risk. BRCA2 mutations are associated with significantly increased risk and more aggressive disease.

  • Ethnicity: men of African descent have, on average, higher incidence and more aggressive disease.

  • Testosterone: androgens drive prostate cell growth, so hormonal balance is relevant to both risk and treatment.

  • Diet and lifestyle: high-fat diet, obesity, and low physical activity are associated with increased risk.

  • Chronic inflammation: long-term inflammation in the prostate may contribute to cells turning malignant.

Knowing which of these apply to you isn't about alarm, it's about knowing what to monitor and what you can influence through everyday habits.

How is prostate cancer detected?

Detection combines pelvic MRI, which directly images the prostate, with a targeted blood panel assessing prostate-specific markers and hormonal context.

Pelvic MRI: Prostate MRI is the standard method for identifying suspicious lesions and checking whether they've spread to nearby structures. Elfcare's full body MRI includes the pelvis as standard, allowing for direct assessment of the prostate.

Blood tests: Relevant markers in Elfcare's panel include:

  • Total PSA: the primary screening marker. Elevated levels indicate prostate activity but are not cancer-specific.

  • Free PSA and Free/Total PSA ratio: improves specificity since a lower ratio suggests cancer, a higher ratio suggests BPH.

  • Testosterone and SHBG: hormonal context, since androgens drive prostate cell growth and are central to treatment planning.

  • CRP: systemic inflammation marker; chronic prostatic inflammation is associated with cancer risk.

Your doctor may combine these results with a physical exam or a targeted biopsy guided by MRI findings, if needed.

Why early detection matters

Prostate cancer typically develops slowly, providing a crucial window to act while it is still localized. When confined to the prostate, the five-year survival rate exceeds 99%. However, once it spreads to bones or other organs, treatment becomes significantly more complex.

Early detection through PSA testing and MRI can pick up changes years before any symptoms appear. This gives you and your doctor time to track PSA patterns and any structural changes, and to act while treatment is still at its most effective and least invasive.

How Elfcare can help

Elfcare's pelvic MRI images the prostate directly, identifying suspicious lesions and assessing local extent. Our blood panel includes total PSA, free PSA ratio, testosterone, and SHBG, covering both the primary cancer marker and the hormonal context in which prostate cancer develops. Together, MRI and PSA give a noticeably more accurate picture than either alone.

Prostate cancer most often spreads to bone, particularly the spine and pelvis. Since Elfcare's full-body MRI covers both regions, bone metastases can potentially be picked up in the same examination.

If our MRI or blood tests identify a suspicious finding, we take care of further diagnostics or refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Book a consultation to learn more

Summary

Prostate cancer is often silent in its early stages but highly treatable when caught before it spreads.

Elfcare combines a pelvic MRI, for direct visualisation of the prostate, with a blood panel covering total PSA, free PSA ratio, testosterone, and SHBG, so both structural changes and hormonal risk factors are covered.

By monitoring these biomarkers, you can make informed choices to protect your long-term vitality. If a suspicious finding occurs, we manage all follow-up diagnostics and provide a direct referral to a specialist.

Last updated: 4 August 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the quality team at Elfcare

FAQ

  • Prostate cancer develops when cells in the prostate gland grow uncontrollably. Most cases are slow-growing and confined to the gland; some are more aggressive and can spread to lymph nodes and bone. It is the most common cancer in men, with outcomes strongly dependent on the stage at detection.

  • Early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Later signs include urinary changes (frequency, weak flow, difficulty starting/stopping), blood in urine or semen, and pelvic or bone pain. Symptoms overlap significantly with BPH. Imaging and PSA testing together are needed to distinguish between them.

  • Age, family history, BRCA2 mutations, ethnicity, hormonal factors, diet, and chronic prostatic inflammation all contribute. Risk increases sharply after 50 and is higher in men with a first-degree relative with prostate or breast cancer.

  • Pelvic MRI directly images the prostate and identifies suspicious lesions. PSA and free PSA ratio assess prostate activity and cancer probability. Biopsy, guided by MRI findings, is required for definitive diagnosis.

  • Yes. Elfcare's pelvic MRI images the prostate directly and our blood panel includes total PSA, free PSA ratio, testosterone, and SHBG. If a suspicious finding is made, we take care of further diagnostics or refer you to the appropriate specialist.

  • Yes. Treatment depends on stage and aggressiveness. Low-risk, localised cancer is often managed with active surveillance. Higher-risk disease is treated with surgery, radiotherapy, or hormone therapy, often in combination. Five-year survival for localised disease exceeds 99%. Early detection is the single most important factor in treatment success.