September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in Australia. It is a useful reminder to do something many of us postpone: have a straightforward conversation about prostate health.

You do not need to diagnose yourself before booking an appointment. You also do not need to wait until a concern feels urgent. A GP can help you understand your personal risk, discuss changes you have noticed and explain whether testing is appropriate for you.

Here are five practical questions to help start that conversation.

Important: This article provides general education, not medical advice. It cannot assess your personal risk or symptoms. Speak with a GP or other qualified health professional for advice specific to you. Seek urgent medical help for severe or sudden symptoms.

1. “What Is My Personal Risk?”

There is no single risk profile that applies to everyone. Age and family history are among the factors your GP may consider, along with your broader health and any symptoms or changes you have noticed.

Before the appointment, write down what you know about prostate cancer in your family. If a father, brother or other relative has been diagnosed, note their relationship to you and, if known, their age at diagnosis. Do not worry if your family history is incomplete; tell your GP what you know.

A useful follow-up question is:

“Does my family history change when or how we should discuss testing?”

Cancer Council Australia advises people with a family history of prostate cancer to talk with their doctor. Your GP can put that history into context rather than leaving you to interpret it alone.

2. “Are These Changes Worth Investigating?”

Changes involving urination, pain, erections, ejaculation or blood in urine or semen can feel awkward to mention. They are still health information, and your GP has heard these conversations before.

Make a note of:

what changed
when you first noticed it
whether it is constant or comes and goes
whether it is getting better, worse or staying the same
any medicines, supplements or recent health changes

Urinary symptoms can have causes other than cancer, and early prostate cancer may cause no symptoms. That is why a symptom list is a starting point for a professional assessment—not a home diagnosis.

If something is new, persistent or worrying, book a GP appointment. Do not use a product, online quiz or social post as a substitute for medical advice.

3. “Should We Discuss a PSA Test?”

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. A PSA test measures the level of PSA in a blood sample. It can be part of a prostate-health assessment, but the result is not a simple yes-or-no cancer diagnosis.

PSA levels can be affected by factors other than cancer, and a result may lead to repeat testing or further investigation. Australia does not have one nationwide prostate screening program that automatically applies to everyone.

That makes informed discussion important. Ask your GP:

What might testing tell us in my situation?
What are the limitations or possible next steps?
Is now the right time based on my age, risk and health history?
Is there anything I should do before the test?

Your GP can explain the current Australian guidance and help you weigh the potential benefits and downsides for your circumstances.

4. “Could My Medicines or Other Health Conditions Be Part of This?”

Sexual and urinary changes do not happen in isolation. Medicines, stress, sleep, cardiovascular health, diabetes, pelvic health, surgery and other factors may affect how you feel or function.

Bring an up-to-date list of prescription medicines, over-the-counter products and supplements. Mention any change in libido, erections, ejaculation, discomfort or urinary habits—even if it seems unrelated to the reason you booked.

This is also a good moment to ask:

“Is there anything here we should monitor, investigate or refer to another health professional?”

The goal is not to force every change into one explanation. It is to give your GP the information needed to see the fuller picture.

5. “What Should I Watch For, and When Should I Follow Up?”

An appointment is more useful when you leave knowing what happens next.

Before you finish, ask:

Which changes should prompt another appointment?
When should I follow up if a symptom continues?
When and how will I receive any test results?
Who should I contact if I have questions later?
Are there reliable Australian resources you recommend?

Write the answers in your phone or ask for them to be included in your appointment notes. If you do not understand a term or recommendation, ask the clinician to explain it in plain language.

Making the Appointment Less Awkward

You can be direct without having the perfect words. Try one of these openers:

“I have noticed a change and want to check whether it matters.”
“Prostate Cancer Awareness Month reminded me to ask about my risk.”
“I would like to understand whether a PSA discussion is appropriate for me.”
“I find this awkward to talk about, so I wrote my questions down.”

Booking a longer appointment may help if you have several concerns. You can also ask whether you may bring a partner or support person if that would make the conversation easier.

Prostate Health and Prostate Pleasure Are Not the Same Conversation

Prostate pleasure is a personal sexual-wellness topic. Prostate health and cancer risk are medical topics. They can involve the same part of the body, but one should never be used as proof about the other.

No pleasure product can screen for, prevent or treat prostate cancer. If you have pain, bleeding, new urinary symptoms, unexplained changes or concerns about your risk, pause and speak with a qualified health professional.

NBN staff can help adults understand product materials, fit, cleaning and safe-use instructions. They cannot diagnose symptoms or replace advice from a doctor.

A Five-Minute September Check-In

Before the month gets busy, take five minutes to:

write down any new or persistent changes
note your known family history
list your medicines and supplements
save the five questions above
book a GP appointment if you have concerns or want personalised advice

Awareness works best when it becomes a calm, practical next step. You do not need to know every answer. You only need to start the right conversation.

Australian Information and Support

This article is general education only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Prostate Health Check-In: 5 Questions to Ask Your GP This September