What Is Prostate Cancer?

March 3, 2026

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. It starts in the prostate, a small gland below the bladder. Many prostate cancers grow slowly and usually can be treated with good outcomes, especially when found early. At Presbyterian, we believe that understanding your health and staying up to date on screenings can make a real difference.

Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

In the early stages, prostate cancer may not cause any symptoms. As it grows, you may notice:

• Trouble starting or stopping urination

• A weak or slow urine stream

• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night

• Pain or burning during urination

• Blood in the urine or semen

• Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis

These symptoms can also be caused by other common conditions, like an enlarged prostate, but it’s important to talk with a healthcare provider if you notice changes that concern you.

How Prostate Cancer Is Diagnosed

Prostate cancer is often found through routine screening before symptoms begin. Your provider may recommend:

• PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test to check PSA levels

• Digital rectal exam (DRE) to feel for changes in the prostate

• Biopsy to test a small sample of prostate tissue if needed

• Imaging tests, such as an MRI or PSMA scan, to see if cancer has spread

Your provider will talk with you about your age, risk factors, and whether screening is right for you.

Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

Treatment depends on how advanced the cancer is and your overall health. Options may include:

• Active surveillance

• Surgery

• Highly-advanced radiation therapy

• Hormone therapy

• Chemotherapy or targeted therapy

The good news is that prostate cancer is often very treatable, especially when caught early. If you have questions about screening, symptoms, or treatment options, Presbyterian’s care teams are here to support you every step of the way.

To find out more, visit us online at phs.org/cancer.

Clinical information provided by Dr. Amit Garg, MD, medical director of Presbyterian Cancer Care Radiation Oncology.