India’s prostate cancer cases were projected to cross 47,000 in 2025; age and family history remain key risk factors
Hyderabad, September 10, 2026: Men over the age of 50 should not assume that the absence of urinary symptoms means there is no risk of prostate cancer, doctors have cautioned, pointing out that the disease can remain largely symptom-free during its early stages.
The warning comes during Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, as doctors call for greater awareness around age, family history and individual risk rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.
Prostate cancer is among the most common cancers affecting men globally. According to an August 2026 update from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), more than 1.5 million cases were diagnosed worldwide in 2024, making it the second most commonly occurring cancer among men.
India is also witnessing a growing burden. Indian Council of Medical Research–National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP) projections indicated an increase from 41,532 prostate cancer cases in 2020 to 47,068 cases in 2025 — a rise of more than 13% in five years.
Doctors at CARE Hospitals said age is one of the major risk factors, with the likelihood of developing prostate cancer increasing as men grow older. A family history of the disease can further increase an individual’s risk.
“Many men believe prostate cancer will always cause urinary symptoms, but that is not necessarily the case. Early prostate cancer may cause no symptoms at all,” said Dr. P. Vamsi Krishna, Clinical Director, Senior Consultant & Head – Urology, Robotic, Laparoscopy & Endourology Surgeon, CARE Hospitals.
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| Dr P Vamsi Krishna, Clinical Director, Sr. Consultant & HOD - Urology, Robotic, Laparoscopy & Endourology Surgeon |
“The risk increases with age, particularly after 50. Men should not wait until urinary problems become troublesome before discussing prostate health with their doctor, especially if they have a family history or other risk factors,” he added.
While early disease can remain silent, persistent changes in urination should not be ignored. These can include difficulty starting urination, weak or interrupted urine flow, frequent urination at night, difficulty completely emptying the bladder, pain or burning while urinating, or blood in the urine or semen.
Doctors, however, stressed that these symptoms do not automatically indicate prostate cancer. Benign prostate enlargement and infections can cause similar problems, particularly among older men.
The Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test is one of the tools doctors may use while evaluating prostate health. A raised PSA level does not by itself confirm cancer and needs to be interpreted alongside age, symptoms, family history, clinical findings and other risk factors.
Treatment also varies significantly from one patient to another.
Dr. Ajay Chanakya Vallabhaneni, Senior Surgical Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon, CARE Cancer Institute, CARE Hospitals, said some prostate cancers may progress slowly and can be monitored through active surveillance, while more aggressive disease may require surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy or other systemic treatments.
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| Dr Ajay Chanakya Vallabhaneni, Senior Surgical Oncologist and Robotic Surgeon |
“When clinically significant prostate cancer is identified before it has spread, we generally have a broader range of treatment options. Timely and accurate diagnosis helps us tailor treatment according to the patient and the biology of the cancer,” he said.
Doctors said the objective of prostate cancer awareness is not to encourage indiscriminate testing, but to encourage informed conversations between men and their doctors.
For men above 50 — and particularly those with a family history of prostate cancer — understanding personal risk could be important even when they feel completely healthy.
With prostate cancer cases increasing in India, specialists say men should stop treating persistent urinary changes simply as a normal part of ageing and seek medical evaluation when required.