Prostate cancer

21 November 2025

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. Many cases develop slowly and can be managed effectively when picked up early, especially before the cancer has spread beyond the prostate.

Often, the first sign that something may be wrong is a raised PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test or new urinary symptoms. Importantly, a raised PSA does not automatically mean cancer – it can also be caused by prostate enlargement, inflammation or infection.

At The New Foscote Hospital in Banbury, men with a raised PSA or worrying prostate symptoms can access:

Consultant-led urology or private GP assessment
Same-week blood tests and digital rectal examination (DRE)
On-site multiparametric MRI of the prostate to clarify risk
Rapid referral for prostate biopsy and cancer treatment where needed

Our goal is to give you a clear diagnosis and a tailored plan, while avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures whenever it is safe to do so. Current UK guidance supports the use of pre-biopsy MRI to improve the accuracy of diagnosis and reduce the number of men needing biopsy.

What Is PSA And What Does A ‘Raised PSA’ Mean?

PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a protein made by the prostate gland. A small amount naturally leaks into the bloodstream. The PSA blood test measures this level.

PSA can be higher than expected for several reasons, including:GOV.UK

Benign prostate enlargement (BPH) – very common with age
Prostatitis – inflammation or infection of the prostate
Recent urinary infection
Recent ejaculation or vigorous exercise (such as cycling)
Prostate cancer

In general, PSA tends to increase with age as the prostate enlarges. Many men with a PSA above the “normal” range do not have prostate cancer, and some men with prostate cancer have PSA levels only slightly raised. This is why a raised PSA is treated as a signal to investigate, rather than a diagnosis on its own.

At The New Foscote Hospital, your PSA result is interpreted in context – taking into account your age, prostate size, risk factors, symptoms and digital rectal examination findings – before deciding on further tests.

Symptoms You Might Notice

Early prostate cancer often causes no symptoms at all. That is why PSA testing and risk-based assessment are so important. When symptoms are present, they may include:

Needing to pass urine more often, especially at night
A weak, intermittent or “stop–start” urine stream
Hesitancy – difficulty getting started when you go to the toilet
Feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied
Urgency – needing to rush to the toilet
Burning or discomfort when passing urine (can also indicate infection)
Blood in the urine or semen (haematuria or haematospermia)
New problems with erections
Persistent pain in the pelvis, hips or lower back

Seek urgent medical attention (A&E/999) if you:

Are suddenly unable to pass urine at all
Develop severe back pain with leg weakness or loss of bladder/bowel control

These can be medical emergencies and should not wait for a routine appointment.

Who Is At Higher Risk Of Prostate Cancer?

Factors that increase risk include:

Age – risk rises from around 50, and most prostate cancers occur in men over 60
Family history – a father, brother or close relative with prostate cancer, particularly at a younger age
Known BRCA1/BRCA2 gene variants or a strong family history of breast/ovarian cancer
Ethnic background – men of African or Caribbean ancestry have a higher risk
Obesity and sedentary lifestyle

If you have risk factors, you may wish to discuss PSA testing and prostate health proactively with a GP or urologist, even if you have no symptoms.

How Prostate MRI Helps

A MRI scan provides detailed images of the prostate and surrounding tissues without radiation. Modern guidelines now recommend before prostate biopsy for most men with suspected localised prostate cancer.

Benefits of MRI include:

Better detection of clinically significant cancers – MRI helps highlight areas more likely to harbour aggressive tumours
Avoiding unnecessary biopsies – if the scan shows no suspicious areas and overall risk is low, you may avoid or delay biopsy
Targeted biopsies when needed – if an abnormal area is seen, biopsy can be directed precisely, increasing diagnostic yield
Accurate staging – helps assess whether cancer is still confined to the prostate or may have started to spread

At The New Foscote Hospital, you will have your MRI in our modern on-site scanner, designed with patient comfort and low-noise technology to make the experience as relaxed as possible.

Diagnosis At The New Foscote Hospital

Your diagnostic pathway is tailored to your risk profile but often follows these steps:

Consultant Assessment Or Private GP Review
- Detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history and family history
- Digital rectal examination (DRE) to assess prostate size and texture
- Review of any previous PSA tests and imaging findings

Blood Tests And Initial Investigations
- Repeat PSA (where appropriate) to confirm the result
- Full blood count and kidney function tests
- Urine tests to rule out infection or blood in the urine

On-Site Multiparametric MRI Prostate Scan
- Carried out on our modern MRI scanner here in Banbury
- Typically includes several MRI sequences to identify suspicious areas within the gland
- Reported by experienced radiologists familiar with prostate imaging

Discussion Of MRI Findings And Next Steps
- If the MRI shows no suspicious lesions and your overall risk is low, we may recommend careful monitoring with repeat PSA and clinical review
- If the MRI identifies a concerning area, your consultant will arrange a targeted prostate biopsy at an appropriate centre, guided by the MRI images

Multidisciplinary Treatment Planning
- Where cancer is confirmed, further staging investigations (such as CT or bone scans) may be arranged at partner facilities
- Your case is reviewed with relevant specialists to plan the most appropriate treatment option for your cancer stage and personal preferences

Throughout the process, our team focuses on clear communication so you understand each step and its purpose.

You may wish to link from here to:

Book An MRI Scan
Private Cancer & Prostate Assessment

Treatment & Monitoring Options

Treatment depends on:

Whether the cancer is low, intermediate or high risk
Whether it is confined to the prostate or has spread
Your age, general health and personal priorities

Your consultant will discuss options that may include:

Active Surveillance (For Low-Risk Disease)

Regular PSA tests, prostate examinations and repeat imaging/biopsy as needed
Aimed at avoiding or delaying radical treatment where cancer is slow-growing and not causing harm
Allows many men to maintain quality of life while staying closely monitored

Local Curative Treatments

Delivered via regional cancer/urology centres, with pre- and post-treatment care supported by The New Foscote Hospital:

Radical prostatectomy – Surgical removal of the prostate
Radiotherapy – External beam radiotherapy or brachytherapy (internal radiation)
Occasionally, focal therapies may be considered in selected cases

We work closely with your treating specialists to coordinate scans, follow-up and supportive care locally whenever possible.

Systemic And Supportive Treatments

For more advanced disease, you may be offered:

Hormone therapy (androgen deprivation)
Chemotherapy or newer targeted treatments via oncology services
Symptom-focused care for bone pain or urinary difficulties

Our role at The New Foscote Hospital is to support you with:

Ongoing blood tests, imaging and symptom review
Management of treatment side-effects (e.g. urinary, bowel or sexual function issues)
Rapid access to our Private GP and other specialist consultants as needed

When To Seek Specialist Help

You should arrange an assessment at The New Foscote Hospital if you:

Have had a raised PSA on a recent test
Have repeat PSA results that are increasing over time
Notice urinary changes such as urgency, weak stream, getting up often at night or incomplete emptying
See blood in your urine or semen
Have a strong family history of prostate or breast/ovarian cancer and want to discuss PSA screening
Have been advised you need a prostate MRI or further tests and prefer a private, consultant-led pathway

If you are unsure whether your symptoms are significant, our team can advise you on the most appropriate next step.

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