Prostate Cancer Awareness Month 2025
It’s our mission at Prostate Scotland for all Scottish men to understand more about their prostate and not be embarrassed to talk about it. We want them to be aware of the symptoms of prostate cancer and disease, get to their GP earlier, and receive treatment for what is a curable cancer in most men. However, with early prostate cancer (which is cancer still retained within the prostate) often men don’t have any symptoms at all.
One in ten men in Scotland are at risk of prostate cancer; prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in Scotland; and a man is 2 to 3 times more at risk if his dad, grandad or brother has or has had prostate cancer; are our main messages of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, which begins today, 1 March.
You’ve probably heard of the prostate before, but people often don’t have a clear idea of what it is, where it is or what can go wrong with it. In recent years, celebrities such as Kenny Logan, Bill Turnbull, Stephen Fry and Sir Chris Hoy have helped to raise awareness of it, through talking about their prostate cancer diagnoses.
Men and those born biologically male have a prostate. It’s a small gland about the size of a walnut. It’s underneath the bladder and in front of the back passage.
According to the most recent data from Public Health Scotland (2021) there were over 4,200 men in Scotland diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 1,066 died from it.
However, earlier detection helps over 80% of men survive prostate cancer in Scotland.
Is it in your family?
It’s important to know if someone in your family has or has had prostate cancer as this can increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.
Black men and those from an Afrocaribbean background are 3 times more at risk of getting prostate cancer and up to 5 years earlier than other ethnic groups.
Currently, there’s no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK. Instead, there is the Prostate Cancer Risk Management programme for GPs, and the guidance in the pack states that: “The PSA test is available free to any man aged 50 and over who requests it.”
However, if there is a strong family history of prostate cancer or certain types of breast cancer, you should consider informing your GP of your family history and discuss having a PSA test from the age of 45 onwards.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. There isn’t yet a screening programme but a large trial of screening is underway. Until the results of this study are available, all men aged 50 or over may ask their GP for a PSA test, even if they have no symptoms. Those who are 45 or over who have a higher risk of prostate cancer (family history, Afrocaribbean heritage, or BRCA-1 carrier) should also ask their GP for advice regarding testing. Informing these men about their increased risk comes down to awareness, which is one of the main missions for Prostate Scotland. So if your father had prostate cancer at a young age, in his 50’s or 60’s – or grandfather or brother – even if you have no symptoms, go and have a chat with your doctor.”
Professor Alan McNeill, Founding Trustee of Prostate Scotland
The impact of Sir Chris Hoy’s openness about his terminal prostate cancer diagnosis at the age of 48 has been immediate. It’s sparked important conversations about the disease, with many more men now looking for information and support.
We support Sir Chris Hoy’s call
We support Sir Chris Hoy’s call for younger men with a family history to have access to a PSA test; in fact, this is happening in Scotland.
And during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we’re continuing to raise awareness and drive men to our website through social media, PR, fundraising and events.
Our ongoing programme of prostate awareness talks (ToolBox Workshops) in a range of workplaces all over Scotland is estimated to reach over 350 people this month.
Our supporters are busy raising funds and awareness in their communities too, with some fantastic events organised. Kicking off with a village ceilidh in Fife tonight, to a gathering of over 200 for a long-established annual community quiz in the Borders at the end of the month. The support for our cause is inspiring. Thank you to all our supporters and volunteers for playing your vital part.