Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. It can grow slowly and may not cause symptoms for years. Other prostate cancers can grow more quickly and need treatment sooner.

Understanding the basics—including symptoms, risk factors, and screening—can help you know when to talk with your doctor.

What is prostate cancer?

The prostate is a small gland located below the bladder. It is about the size of a walnut and helps make some of the fluid found in semen.

Prostate cancer starts when cells in the prostate begin to grow abnormally. Some prostate cancers grow slowly, while others can grow more quickly and spread to other parts of the body.

How quickly the cancer is growing and whether it has spread can help your doctor determine whether you need treatment and which treatment options may be right for you.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Trouble urinating
• Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Erectile dysfunction
• Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis, particularly with more advanced cancer

Having one or more of these symptoms does not necessarily mean you have prostate cancer. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms. Talk with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms or have concerns.

Why expert prostate cancer care matters

There isn’t one treatment approach that’s right for everyone with prostate cancer. Depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may recommend monitoring the cancer, surgery, radiation, or another treatment.

Getting the right care matters. An experienced prostate cancer team can help you understand your options, choose the right treatment approach, and get high-quality care throughout your treatment.

Cancer Care for Carrum Health members

If you’re diagnosed with prostate cancer, getting high-quality care from an experienced cancer team matters.

If you or an eligible family member has received a cancer diagnosis—or test results indicate the possibility of cancer—Carrum Health can connect eligible members with a leading cancer center and guide you through your next steps.

For eligible members, prostate cancer treatment through Carrum Health is typically fully covered, so you won’t receive a bill for eligible care.

To see if the Carrum Health cancer care benefit is available to you, check your eligibility.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.