Getting diagnosed with prostate cancer
Your GP should refer you to a specialist team or for tests if you have symptoms that could be due to prostate cancer.
This might be an urgent suspected cancer referral. It depends on your symptoms and other factors. You will see a specialist or have tests as soon as possible. Ask your GP when this is likely to be.
It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.
Your GP can do some tests to help them decide whether you need a referral. This includes:
a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test
an examination of your prostate gland to check for abnormal signs, such as lumpy or hard areas (digital rectal examination)
Depending on the results of these tests your GP might refer you to a specialist.
Find out more about these tests
There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement. The following is a summary.
Your doctor should arrange for you to see a specialist within 2 weeks if your:
PSA level is higher than would be expected for someone of your age
prostate feels abnormal to your doctor after an examination
You usually see a urologist. This is a doctor who specialises in treating problems of the urinary tract, including the bladder, kidney and prostate.
Remember, these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, and do not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. But it is important to get them checked out by your specialist.
Find out more about prostate cancer symptoms
Speak to your GP if you think you are at higher risk of prostate cancer. For example, if you:
have a close relative, such as a brother or father, who has had prostate cancer
have a close relative who was younger than 60 when they were diagnosed with prostate cancer
think you have inherited certain genes which can increase the risk of prostate cancer
are a black male
Your GP can request a PSA test. Or they can refer you to a genetics clinic.
Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to talk it through with you. Then you might be able to decide together whether you should see a specialist.
Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms.
If your GP has referred you to a specialist, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one. Or some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer referral.
Go to more information about an urgent referral, what to expect and questions to ask
Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.
Last reviewed: 09 May 2025
Next review due: 09 May 2028
Prostate cancer doesn't usually cause any symptoms in the early stages.
Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system, and is at the base of the bladder.
You have a number of tests to check for prostate cancer. These may include a digital rectal examination, a PSA blood test, scans and a biopsy.
Your GP will ask about your general health and any urinary symptoms you may have. They may also do some general tests and examine your prostate gland.
Your risk of developing prostate cancer depends on many things including age, family history and ethnicity.
Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate gland is found at the base of the bladder and is about the size of a walnut.
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