What is the prostate and what goes wrong with it?

A gland below the bladder that produces seminal fluid. Common problems are benign enlargement (weak stream, frequency, nocturia), prostatitis (pain, urinary symptoms), and prostate cancer, which is often symptomless early.

Benign enlargement is the commonest cause at that age. An IPSS symptom score, uroflowmetry and post-void residual help quantify it.

Prostate cancer rarely causes urinary symptoms in early stages, so symptoms do not indicate cancer — but they are a reasonable prompt to discuss screening.