Movember at The Oving Medical Clinic: Let's Talk About Prostate Cancer

This November, Dr Etienne Raffner and Dr Pete Morgan are growing moustaches for Movember. Here is what every man should know about prostate cancer, PSA testing and when to seek advice.

This November, Dr Etienne Raffner and Dr Pete Morgan are putting down their razors and growing moustaches in support of Movember – raising awareness of men's health and, in particular, prostate cancer. We're not entirely sure how impressive the moustaches will be by the end of the month, but the message behind them is an important one! Movember is an opportunity to encourage men to talk more openly about their health. Too often, men put off seeking medical advice, ignore symptoms or simply assume that everything is fine. Prostate cancer is a particularly important subject. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in UK men, with more than 68,000 new diagnoses each year. Approximately 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. The good news is that many prostate cancers grow slowly, and when a clinically significant cancer is identified early, there are often effective treatment options. So, what should men know? What is prostate cancer? The prostate is a small, walnut-sized gland situated just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra (the tube through which urine passes) and plays a role in producing semen. As men get older, the prostate commonly enlarges. This is usually a benign condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can cause urinary symptoms without being cancerous. Prostate cancer develops when cells within the gland begin to grow abnormally. Some prostate cancers are aggressive and require treatment, while others grow so slowly that they may never cause harm. Distinguishing between these different cancers is one of the challenges of prostate cancer testing. What symptoms should I look out for? One of the most important things to understand is that early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at all. When symptoms do develop, they can include: - Difficulty starting to pass urine or a weaker urinary stream - Needing to pass urine more frequently, particularly at night - A feeling that the bladder isn't emptying properly - Urgency or difficulty controlling urination - Blood in the urine or semen - New erectile difficulties - Unexplained persistent back or pelvic pain, particularly alongside other symptoms Importantly, most urinary symptoms in older men are caused by benign prostate enlargement rather than cancer. However, new or persistent symptoms should not simply be ignored. Blood in the urine, in particular, should always be assessed promptly. Who is most at risk? Although prostate cancer can affect younger men, it becomes increasingly common after the age of 50. Risk is particularly increased in men who: - Are over 50, with risk increasing further with age - Have a father or brother who has had prostate cancer - Are Black, particularly men of African or Caribbean ancestry - Carry certain inherited genetic variants, particularly BRCA2 Men with a strong family history or other increased risk factors may benefit from discussing prostate testing earlier. The PSA blood test: why is it controversial? The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test measures a protein produced by the prostate gland. An elevated PSA can be a sign of prostate cancer, but it can also occur with benign enlargement, inflammation, infection and other non-cancerous conditions. A raised PSA does not necessarily mean cancer, and a normal PSA does not completely rule it out. This is where some controversy arises. The benefits of PSA testing PSA testing can identify prostate cancers before symptoms develop, potentially allowing earlier investigation and treatment of cancers that might otherwise become more advanced. For some men, early detection can be life-saving. The disadvantages PSA testing is not perfect. Some men with raised PSA levels undergo further investigations only to discover that they do not have cancer. Other men are diagnosed with very slow-growing prostate cancers that might never have affected their health. This is known as overdiagnosis, and it can lead to unnecessary anxiety, investigations and occasionally treatment with significant side effects, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. So, should every man have a PSA test? There is no simple answer. The UK does not currently recommend routine PSA screening for all men. In 2026, the UK National Screening Committee recommended targeted screening for a narrowly defined group of men with inherited BRCA2 variants and a relevant family history. However, men can still discuss PSA testing with their GP and make an informed decision. As a practical guide: - Men aged 50 and over: consider discussing PSA testing, even without symptoms. - Men aged 45 and over with a family history or Black ethnicity: consider having that discussion earlier. - Men of any age with concerning urinary symptoms: arrange a medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine screening test. Our approach at The Oving Medical Clinic is to discuss the advantages and disadvantages with each patient individually, taking account of age, family history, symptoms and personal preferences. What happens if my PSA is raised? A raised PSA is not a cancer diagnosis. We would usually review the result in the context of your symptoms, medical history and any previous PSA measurements. Sometimes repeating the test is appropriate, particularly if there are temporary factors that may have affected the result. Further assessment may include: 1. Clinical examination An examination of the prostate may sometimes be helpful, although not every patient requires one. 2. Multiparametric MRI scanning MRI has significantly improved the investigation of suspected prostate cancer. A detailed MRI scan can identify suspicious areas within the prostate and help specialists decide whether a biopsy is necessary. MRI can reduce unnecessary biopsies, although it does not detect every cancer and is not currently recommended as a stand-alone screening test. 3. Prostate biopsy When MRI findings or other risk factors suggest a potentially significant cancer, a biopsy may be advised to establish the diagnosis. Are there newer blood tests available? Yes. Prostate cancer diagnostics are developing rapidly. Alongside conventional PSA testing, newer blood and urine-based tests aim to improve our ability to distinguish men who may have clinically significant prostate cancer from those who are unlikely to benefit from invasive investigations. Some tests combine different blood markers with clinical information to produce a more individualised risk assessment. These tests are promising, but they have limitations and are not yet established as replacements for conventional PSA assessment, MRI or biopsy. At The Oving Medical Clinic, we can discuss the latest developments in prostate testing and advise which investigations are appropriate for your circumstances. What if prostate cancer is diagnosed? A prostate cancer diagnosis does not automatically mean surgery or radiotherapy. Depending on the type, grade and extent of the cancer, management may include: - Active surveillance: carefully monitoring lower-risk cancers without immediate treatment - Surgery: removing the prostate in selected patients - Radiotherapy: treating cancer with targeted radiation - Hormonal treatment and other therapies: particularly for more advanced disease Modern prostate cancer care increasingly focuses on matching the treatment to the individual patient, avoiding unnecessary treatment wherever possible. This Movember, don't put off that conversation Whether you're experiencing urinary symptoms, have a family history of prostate cancer or simply want to understand whether a PSA test would be worthwhile, we're here to help. At The Oving Medical Clinic, Dr Pete Morgan, Dr Greg Wang and Dr Georgina Hughes are available for confidential consultations to discuss prostate health, individual risk factors and appropriate investigations. We can arrange PSA blood testing where appropriate, review results and help organise further investigations or specialist referral when needed. And, of course, keep an eye out for Dr Morgan and Dr Raffner's moustaches throughout November! A conversation about prostate health could make a real difference. Book a prostate health consultation If you have symptoms, concerns or questions about prostate cancer testing, contact The Oving Medical Clinic to arrange an appointment with Dr Morgan, Dr Wang or Dr Hughes. The Oving Medical Clinic | Oving, Chichester Supporting Movember 2026 – changing the face of men's health. Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. If you have blood in your urine, severe pain or feel significantly unwell, seek urgent medical advice.