GPs are increasingly becoming involved in the care of patients with prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is currently diagnosed in more than 34,000 men every year. It claims more than 10,000 lives per annum in the UK, and many more than that internationally. Men dying from advanced disease often suffer intractable bone pain and debilitating lower urinary tract symptoms which have a considerable impact on their quality of life. In the absence of a breakthrough [ time of writing 2010] in the treatment of metastatic disease, earlier diagnosis and more effective eradication of clinically significant disease currently seem to afford the best opportunity of stemming the tide.  [With external links to current evidence and summaries]