Key takeaways
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men over 45 and may cause symptoms that affect the flow and frequency of your urine.
- The prostate can also be affected by non-cancerous conditions such as inflammation and enlargement, which may cause similar symptoms.
- A PSA blood test may be offered if you have symptoms of prostate cancer, but there’s currently no nationwide screening programme.
- A prostate multiparametric MRI (MPM) scan is a specialised type of MRI used to create detailed images of the prostate gland and diagnose prostate cancer and other non-cancerous diseases of the prostate.
- Private MPM scans are available without a doctor's referral, and results are typically ready within a few days.
What is Prostate Cancer?
The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, located in the male pelvic cavity, situated below the bladder, between the penis and the rectum. The main functions of the prostate gland are to add fluid to semen and to push semen through the urethra out of the body through the penis during ejaculation.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with most cases being diagnosed in men over 50. Anyone with a prostate can develop the condition, but it’s more common in men who have a family history of prostate cancer or are from a Black African or African Caribbean background.
Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Prostate tumours most commonly develop on the outer part of the prostate gland, and early-stage prostate cancer may not have any noticeable symptoms.
However, if a tumour grows large enough, it can press onto the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis, causing urinary symptoms, including:
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Needing to pee more often or more urgently
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Finding it difficult to start peeing
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A weaker urine flow
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Feeling like you can’t completely empty your bladder
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Peeing more frequently during the night
As prostate cancer advances, it may also cause erectile dysfunction and blood in the urine or semen. Advanced prostate cancer may also lead to unexplained weight loss and lower back pain.
Other Prostate Conditions
Having symptoms such as changes to the flow, frequency, and urgency of your urine doesn’t necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer. The prostate gradually grows with age, and an enlarged prostate is a common, non-cancerous condition that can cause similar symptoms.
An enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostate enlargement. The prostate can also be affected by inflammation, causing a painful, non-cancerous condition called prostatitis.
Testing for Prostate Cancer
There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. The exception is for men aged 45 to 61 who have a faulty version of the BRCA2 gene that can increase the risk of developing prostate cancer, and have a family history of breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer.
If you have symptoms or you’re worried about your risk of prostate cancer, you may be eligible for a PSA (prostate specific antigen) blood test. This test looks for small protein fragments, called tumour markers, that may indicate prostate cancer.
Speak to your GP if you’re concerned about your prostate health.
Depending on your results, you may be referred for further testing, including an MRI.
Diagnosing prostate cancer
If you have symptoms of prostate cancer, making an appointment with your GP or specialist will help you understand what’s causing your symptoms, and if necessary, allow you to start treatment sooner.
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Medical history and symptom review: Your doctor will ask you questions about your overall health and your symptoms, including how long you’ve had them and how they affect you. They’ll also ask if you have a family history of breast, ovarian or pancreatic cancer.
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Digital rectal examination: They may perform a physical examination to feel for any abnormalities. This involves gently inserting a finger into your back passage. They’ll wear disposable gloves and use a lubricating gel. It may feel uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful.
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PSA blood test: A PSA test alone cannot diagnose prostate cancer. Instead, it indicates if there are any problems that might be affecting your prostate, including cancer, as well as benign (non-cancerous) conditions such as prostatitis and prostate enlargement.
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Urine test: A urine sample may be tested for signs of an infection.
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MRI scan: If your doctor thinks you may have prostate cancer, or they want to rule it out, they’ll refer you for a prostate multiparametric MRI (MPM) scan. An MPM scan is a specialised MRI that produces highly detailed images of the prostate and surrounding tissues.
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Biopsy: If your specialist needs to understand more about the health of your prostate, they may take a small sample of cells or tissue from your prostate using a long, thin needle. This is called a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy. Your specialist passes a narrow ultrasound probe into the back passage to guide the needle through the perineum, the skin between your back passage and scrotum. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for testing.
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Further scans: If cancer is detected, your doctor may decide to refer you for a CT or PET scan to see how large the tumour is, and to see if the cancer has spread.
Can an MRI Scan Detect Prostate Cancer?
Yes, a prostate multiparametric MRI (MPM) scan is considered the gold standard scan for detecting prostate cancer and other prostate conditions, such as prostatitis and benign prostate enlargement.
How Does a Prostate MRI Work?
MRI scanners use radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create detailed images of the inside of the body. During an MRI scan, patients lie on a flat medical bed that slowly moves into the scanner.
Large magnets are switched on and off, temporarily misaligning the hydrogen atoms in the body. As the hydrogen atoms move, they generate energy, which is captured by computers and converted into an image.
Metallic items, including keys, mobile phones, cash and bank cards, as well as clothing with metal zips and fastenings, glasses, jewellery and watches, cannot enter an MRI scanner as they may be dangerous when the magnets are switched on. Therefore, you’ll be given a medical gown to change into and a safe place to store your belongings.
Who is a Prostate MRI Suitable for?
You’re suitable for a prostate multiparametric MRI if you’re concerned about prostate cancer symptoms, you have a high PSA blood test result, you have a family history of cancer of the prostate, breast, ovary or pancreas, or you have a faulty BRCA2 gene.
Who isn’t Suitable for a Prostate MRI
Magnetic metal is dangerous inside an MRI scanner due to the magnets used throughout the scan. If you have any implants made from metal, including stents, meshes, screws and clips, cochlear implants, pacemakers, metallic shards or bullets inside your body, you may not be suitable for an MRI scan.
MRI scanners are large, doughnut-shaped machines that make a loud, knocking sound as the magnets are switched on and off. You’ll be required to remain still for the scan, which may take up to an hour. Therefore, you may find an MRI scan difficult if you have claustrophobia or struggle to stay still for long periods.
You’ll be provided with a headset to help reduce the sound, and you’ll be able to communicate with your radiographer throughout through an intercom. You may also be provided with a mild sedative to help keep you calm.
Some MRI scans require the use of a contrast agent, injected into a vein, to help show the prostate and surrounding tissues more clearly on the scan images. Occasionally, these contrast dyes can cause a mild allergic reaction, especially if you have kidney disease. Symptoms include a metallic taste in the mouth, facial flushing and lightheadedness, and you’ll be monitored throughout.
What Other Prostate Scans are Available?
If you’re unsuitable for an MRI, you may be considered for a CT scan to check the health of your prostate. CT scans use radiation and are only used when deemed necessary to reduce your risk of radiation exposure.
What Does Prostate Cancer Look Like on an MRI?
Doctors use different types of MRI technology to create different images that are collated and used to diagnose or rule out prostate cancer and other prostate conditions.
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T2-weighted imaging shows healthy prostate tissue as bright white, while prostate tumours show up as dark spots.
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Diffusion-weighted imaging measures the movement of water molecules. Prostate tumours are denser than healthy prostate tissue, meaning that water molecules don’t flow through them as easily.
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Dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging uses a contrast agent to highlight blood vessels associated with tumours.
Causes of Prostate Cancer
The exact cause of prostate cancer is unknown. But there are certain factors that may mean that your risk of developing prostate cancer is increased. Risk factors for prostate cancer include:
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Being over 50 years old
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Being of Black African or African Caribbean ethnicity
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Having a family history of prostate cancer
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Being a carrier of a faulty version of the BRCA2 gene
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Having a close relative who has or has had cancer of the breast, ovary or pancreas, particularly at a young age
Prognosis and Treatment
The earlier prostate cancer is diagnosed, typically, the more successful the treatment. Not all prostate cancer needs treatment; it depends on the severity and size of the tumour.
If prostate cancer is relatively small and hasn't spread, your doctor may decide to monitor your condition with regular check-ups and blood tests with your GP for a while, rather than start treatment. This is called watchful waiting. Or, they may decide on active surveillance, which is similar to watchful waiting, but with regular prostate scans in a hospital or clinic.
Should your cancer need treatment, treatments range from surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and hormone therapy.
Why an MRI Scan is a Good Option
A prostate MRI scan is the gold standard scan for diagnosing and ruling out prostate cancer and other prostate conditions. MRI scans produce detailed images that enable consultant radiologists to detect abnormalities, including tumours.
The earlier something potentially serious is detected, the more treatment options are available.
Find an MRI Scan for Prostate Cancer
If you’re concerned about your prostate or you’ve received an abnormal PSA blood test result, don’t ignore it.
Book a private prostate MRI with Scan.com without the need for a doctor’s referral letter. With over 250 UK-wide scanning centres, appointments are usually available within a week, and you’ll have your results in days.
The sooner you have clarity, the sooner you can make decisions on any treatment and care you may need.
References
Website, N. (2025a, August 8). Prostate cancer. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/
Professional, C. C. M. (2026a, February 16). Prostate. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23965-prostate
Tests. (n.d.-c). Prostate Cancer UK. https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/prostate-tests
