Prostate cancer can develop when cells in the prostate start to grow in an uncontrolled way.

Some prostate cancer grows too slowly to cause any problems or affect how long you live. Because of this, many men with prostate cancer will never need any treatment.

But some prostate cancer grows quickly and is more likely to spread. This is more likely to cause problems and needs treatment to stop it spreading.

Symptoms of prostate cancer do not usually appear until the prostate is large enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis (urethra).

When this happens, you may notice things like:

• an increased need to pee
• straining while you pee
• a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied

These symptoms should not be ignored, but they do not mean you have prostate cancer.

In the UK, about 1 in 8 men will get prostate cancer in their lifetime.

Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50, and your risk increases with age. The risk is even higher for black men and men with a family history of prostate cancer.

Below are some of the very basic facts and figures about prostate cancer. (Last updated: September 2018)

• Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the UK.

• More than 47,500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – that's 129 men every day.

• Every 45 minutes one man dies from prostate cancer that's more than 11,500 men every year.

• 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

• Around 400,000 men are living with and after prostate cancer..

It's not known exactly what causes prostate cancer, although a number of things can increase your risk of developing the condition.

These include:

• age – the risk rises as you get older, and most cases are diagnosed in men over 50 years of age
• ethnic group – prostate cancer is more common among men of African-Caribbean and African descent than in Asian men
• family history – having a brother or father who developed prostate cancer before age 60 seems to increase your risk of developing it; research also shows that having a close female relative who developed breast cancer may also increase your risk of developing prostate cancer
• obesity – recent research suggests there may be a link between obesity and prostate cancer, and a balanced diet and regular exercise may lower your risk of developing prostate cancer
• diet – research is ongoing into the links between diet and prostate cancer, and there is some evidence that a diet high in calcium is linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer

If you have symptoms that could be caused by prostate cancer, you should visit your GP.

There's no single, definitive test for prostate cancer. Your GP will discuss the pros and cons of the various tests with you to try to avoid unnecessary anxiety.

Your doctor is likely to:

• ask for a urine sample to check for infection
• take a blood sample to test your level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – called PSA testing
• examine your prostate by inserting a gloved finger into your bottom – called digital rectal examination

Your GP will assess your risk of having prostate cancer based on a number of factors, including your PSA levels and the results of your prostate examination, as well as your age, family history and ethnic group.

If you have questions, your doctor or nurse may be able to reassure you, or you may find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor, psychologist or specialist telephone helpline. Your GP surgery will have information on these.

Depending of the type of prostate cancer you have, your life may be affected in different ways.

Prostate cancer often gets worse slowly, and men may have it for years without symptoms. During this time, men with low-risk prostate cancer that hasn't spread beyond the prostate gland may not need treatment.

Men whose cancer is more likely to spread may decide to have surgery or radiotherapy that aims to cure the cancer. However, these treatments can have side effects.