Prostate cancer

Last updated: 30 Apr. 2026
Reviewed by: Specialist doctors from the Elfcare quality team

Feeling the need to urinate more often at night? Noticing changes in flow or comfort? Many men experience these shifts as they age, often without realising they could be linked to prostate health.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and one of the most treatable when found early. It typically grows slowly and causes no symptoms in its early stages, making proactive screening the most effective detection strategy.

Elfcare's pelvic MRI and PSA blood test together provide the most clinically meaningful picture of prostate health currently available.

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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.

When prostate cells grow in an unbalanced way, they can affect how the gland functions, influencing urination, sexual health, and general energy levels. Detecting these changes early allows for careful monitoring and proactive steps.

Symptoms of prostate cancer

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

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 sharply after 50; 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 higher incidence and more aggressive disease on average.

  • Testosterone: androgens drive prostate cell growth; 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 prostatic inflammation may contribute to malignant transformation

Understanding your personal risk is about awareness, not alarm, especially since many of these factors can be balanced through proactive monitoring and healthy 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 of care for identifying suspicious lesions and evaluating local spread to surrounding 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; a lower ratio suggests cancer, a higher ratio suggests BPH..

  • Testosterone and SHBG: hormonal context; 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 identifies changes years before symptoms appear. This insight empowers you to:

  • Monitor trends: Track PSA patterns and structural changes over time.

  • Preserve options: Address concerns while treatment is most effective and least invasive.

  • Maintain balance: Use data-driven insights to support health through nutrition and exercise.

Identifying shifts early moves you from reactive concern to proactive management, ensuring you maintain long-term health and peace of mind.

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. Used together, MRI and PSA provide a significantly more accurate picture than either alone.

Prostate cancer most commonly metastasises to bone, particularly the spine and pelvis. Elfcare's full body MRI covers both regions, meaning bone metastases may be identified as part of 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 frequently silent in its early stages but highly treatable when detected before it spreads. Early awareness is essential to move from reactive treatment to proactive management.

Elfcare provides the most comprehensive preventive assessment available by combining pelvic MRI for direct visualization with a targeted blood panel including Total PSA, Free PSA ratio, Testosterone, and SHBG. This dual approach identifies both structural changes and hormonal risk factors.

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: 30 Apr. 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.