Simple Prostate Checklist

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Prostate health is not just about cancer — it’s about quality of life, longevity, and wellbeing.

As men get older, the prostate becomes increasingly important to monitor. Many prostate conditions develop slowly and quietly, which means problems are often ignored until they begin to significantly affect quality of life.

This step-by-step checklist is designed to help you understand what to look out for, what to track, and when to seek medical advice.

✅ 1. Check Your Urinary Symptoms

The prostate sits just below the bladder and surrounds the urine tube (urethra). As it grows with age, it can gradually restrict urine flow.

Tick any symptoms you’ve noticed:

☐ Slow or weak urine stream
☐ Difficulty starting urination
☐ Stopping and starting during urination
☐ Feeling that the bladder doesn’t empty fully
☐ Getting up more than once at night to urinate
☐ Sudden urgency or rushing to the toilet
☐ Occasional leakage before reaching the toilet

➡️ Why this matters:
These symptoms are most commonly caused by a benign (non-cancerous) enlarged prostate, but they can also occur with prostate cancer or bladder problems. Symptoms that are worsening or affecting sleep and daily life should be assessed.

✅ 2. Know Your PSA — Not Just “Normal”

PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the prostate and measured with a blood test.

Make sure you know:

☐ Your actual PSA number
☐ Your age at the time of the test
☐ Whether it has changed since your last test

Helpful reference ranges:

Average PSA in men in their 50s: ~0.9
Average PSA in men in their 60s: ~1.2
In Australia, PSA under 3 is often considered “normal” for men under 70

➡️ What’s important isn’t just the number, but the trend.
A slow rise is expected with age, but faster increases may need further investigation.

✅ 3. Track PSA Changes Over Time

If you have regular PSA tests, ask your doctor to review the pattern.

Be aware of:

☐ Gradual, steady increases (usually normal)
☐ Sudden or faster rises (may need follow-up)

➡️ As a general guide:

A rise of ~0.3 per year is usually expected
Faster changes may require closer monitoring or referral

✅ 4. Know Your Family History

Family history plays a significant role in prostate cancer risk.

Find out if any close relatives have had:

☐ Prostate cancer
☐ Breast cancer
☐ Ovarian cancer

➡️ Why this matters:
Certain inherited genes can increase prostate cancer risk. Knowing your family history helps guide when to start PSA testing and how closely to monitor it.

✅ 5. Review Your Lifestyle Habits

Your daily habits have a cumulative effect on prostate health and overall wellbeing.

Nutrition

☐ Mostly whole foods (vegetables, fruits, lean protein)
☐ Minimal highly processed foods

Exercise

☐ Regular activity most days of the week
☐ Strength or resistance training included

Habits

☐ Smoking avoided or stopped
☐ Alcohol intake kept moderate

Sleep & Stress

☐ Adequate sleep most nights
☐ Stress managed where possible

➡️ Why this matters:
Good lifestyle habits reduce the risk of chronic disease, help maintain muscle mass, support hormone balance, and may reduce cancer risk.

✅ 6. Pay Attention to Sexual Health Changes

The prostate plays a key role in ejaculation and sexual function.

Note any changes in:

☐ Erections becoming less firm
☐ Erections not lasting as long
☐ Reduced morning or night-time erections

➡️ Important:
Erectile changes can sometimes be an early sign of blood vessel disease — often appearing before heart symptoms. This is an opportunity to check:

Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Blood sugar
Weight and fitness

Early action can improve both sexual health and long-term health.

✅ 7. Understand Your Options for an Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Many men assume urinary symptoms are just part of ageing — they are not something you must simply accept.

Treatment options now include:

☐ Lifestyle and behavioural strategies
☐ Medications
☐ Minimally invasive procedures
☐ Surgical options (when required)

➡️ Modern treatments are often effective, tailored, and aimed at improving quality of life.

✅ 8. Don’t Suffer in Silence

Ask yourself:

☐ Are my symptoms getting worse?
☐ Is my sleep being disrupted?
☐ Is this affecting my quality of life?

If yes, it’s time to talk to your GP or urologist.

Key Takeaway

✔ Be informed
✔ Monitor changes
✔ Know your numbers
✔ Seek advice early