What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland and is often slow-growing, though some forms are aggressive. Care may include active surveillance, surgery, radiation, hormone therapy, and systemic treatment for advanced disease.
Causes
Age-related genetic changes in prostate cells drive most cases. Hormones (androgens) fuel growth. Inherited gene variants contribute in a minority of families.
Risk factors
Age, African ancestry, family history of prostate or related cancers, and certain inherited mutations (BRCA2, Lynch) increase risk. Obesity may link to more aggressive disease.
Importance of early diagnosis
PSA-based detection and MRI/biopsy pathways can find disease while it is still localised - when cure with surgery or radiation is most realistic.