Prostrate cancer symptoms in male aged 76

There may be no symptoms. I never had symptoms, I know many people who have never had symptoms. Even people with very advanced cases.

You need a PSA test. A simple blood test.

If you let it go too long, you could have pain anywhere. Bone pain, back pain, prostate pain, and many more. You only get there if you let it go for a long time.

Thank you for excellent response. I will now explain to relative that only a blood test needed to set mind at rest - much appreciated.

If he is going to take a blood test for his PSA level, he might want to include the PSE test, from Oxford Biodynamics, which comes back with results that they say are 94% accurate. Those test results will say if your relative is likely to have prostate cancer or un-likely to have prostate cancer.

Just a cautionary note that PSA (prostate specific antigen) is not specific for prostate cancer,

The PSA number itself is similar to a “check engine” light in a car; it indicates that something may be wrong, and further checks should be made “under the hood.” Might be as simple as a UTI; might be BPH; might be more serious, such as prostate cancer. Just need to have further checks. No need to panic, or rush to a quick treatment decision, or get overly concerned.

I think you have the misconception of PSA test. It is not the only thing needed to determine no need to worry. What are his symptoms?

Most urologist will do a a DRE to feel the prostate for obivious feel of an abnormality. Getting a PSA test will only give you a number. It does not tell you if you have cancer, or BPH. Based on PSA test and DRE that can help but not completely determine need to have further test.

Individuals with high PSA is not a diagnosis of cancer. A low PSA does not mean you do not have cancer. I had a normal PSA and I was diagnosed with cancer.
I think important that we do not infer we are medical experts on MCC and you take that as medical guidance. We can give you our personal experiences and be an inspirations but should not be seen as giving you medical guidance.

The below was taken from WEB MD. It is the basic information on prostate cancer. You can go on web sites like WEBMD, Mayo, Cleveland Clinic, John Hopkins, etc. to get medical information on BPH and prostate cancer. Look at the basis and you will see getting a PSA test is not to be seen as a test that rules out cancer or rules it in. And that is from the medical community not me as you can read below.
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Screening: DRE and PSA
Your doctor may initially do a digital rectal exam (DRE) to feel for bumps or hard spots on the prostate. After a discussion with your doctor, a blood test can be used to measure prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein produced by prostate cells. An elevated level may indicate a higher chance that you have cancer, but you can have a high level and still be cancer-free. It is also possible to have a normal PSA and have prostate cancer.

PSA Test Results
A normal PSA level is considered to be under 4 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood, while a PSA above 10 suggests a high risk of cancer. But there are many exceptions:

Men can have prostate cancer with a PSA less than 4.
A prostate that is inflamed (prostatitis) or enlarged (BPH) can boost PSA levels, yet further testing may show no evidence of cancer.
Some BPH drugs can lower PSA levels, despite the presence of prostate cancer, called a false negative.
If either a PSA or DRE test are abnormal, your doctor will likely order other tests.

@brianjarvis
Exactly! Your description of it as check engine is right on. It should not be seen as simple test to rule out cancer or rule it in.

I only wished to ascertain blood test was all that was initially needed.
Thank you for taking the trouble to give further information but I had familiarised myself with various pathways following initial test. Henry can now start his journey by having bloods tested and take it from there.
Stay well and many thanks.

Your comments are much appreciated and very thoughtful.
Many thanks for taking the time to respond.

Breast milk contains PSA (but that’s a whole different conversation).

Even PSMA (prostate specific membrane antigen) is not “prostate cancer specific.” A dozen other organs/tissues/fluids will light up with a PSMA PET scan and not be prostate cancer.

One must tip-toe around these terms.

Thank you for your excellent advice re test provider. I will pass this on to Henry asap.
Your responses have been great - I will make sure he understands the importance of this simple test.
Good luck and stay well!