10 Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

As a man ages, so does his risk of developing Prostate Cancer. But like many cancers, early detection is a man’s best chance of improving his overall survival rate and quality of life. With regular check ups, about nine out of ten men will have their Prostate Cancer detected in the early stages with a five-year survival rate of nearly 100%. There are many symptoms of Prostate Cancer that a man can experience that may let him know that a visit to the doctor’s office is necessary. Symptoms of Prostate Cancer include:

Frequent Urination: One of the more common symptoms of Prostate Cancer is the need to urinate frequently “especially during the night (nocturia).

Difficulty Urinating: Many men with Prostate Cancer have difficulty starting their urine stream (also known as hesitancy). The prostate is located just below the bladder and urine must pass through a thin tube, called the urethra. At the beginning of the urethra, urine must pass through the prostate. However, if the prostate is enlarged the urethra is pinched tighter and tighter making it difficult for urine to exit through the urethra and out of the body.

Weak or Interrupted Flow of Urine: Like with difficulty urinating, the urethra’s compromised condition prevents the urine from coming out in a normal, steady stream.

Painful or Burning Urination (Dysuria): Like the previous symptoms, painful urination is yet another result of the urethra being pressed upon by the enlarged prostate.

Feeling the Bladder is Not Completely Empty after Urination: Many men will urinate, but still feel as if they need to urinate again soon afterwards.

Impotence: The prostate is located near the nerves necessary for an erection. If the nerves are blocked or the prostate is enlarged, some men may experience erectile dysfunction.

Painful Ejaculation: This is a symptom that can psychologically affect a man whereby creating a lack of interest in sex because of the painful outcome.

Blood in the Urine (Hematuria): This is a symptom that should never be ignored for any reason. The three most common causes of blood in the urine are enlargement or an infection of the prostate, bladder infection, and tumors (usually malignant) of the kidneys, bladder or ureters (the tubes that connect the bladder to the kidneys).

Blood in the Semen (Hematospermia): In rare cases, blood in the semen is an indicator of the presence of Prostate Cancer, but more often than not, it is a sign of something less serious. However, this symptom should not be ignored, especially if it continues over a period of time. An examination by a doctor and a urine sample can, more often than not, rule out any serious problems.

Pain or Stiffness in the Lower Back, Hips or Upper Thighs: Pain in these areas is a more serious sign that the cancer may have metastasized and is in a later stage. If a man is experiencing such pain (along with some of the other symptoms), the need to see a doctor is more immediate.

Other symptoms like weight loss, bone pain, and swelling in the legs and feet, may indicate that the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. In these cases, a man must see his doctor immediately so that more specific testing can be done.

The difficulty in assessing these symptoms as those of Prostate Cancer is that many of them can be caused by noncancerous ailments like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis or a urinary tract infection. However, any symptom that is often felt should not be ignored or thought of as insignificant. It is advised that men over the age of fifty get routine check ups that include a PSA test in order to catch Prostate Cancer at its earliest stage so that treatment can begin upon diagnosis.

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• I’m 29 Years Old And My Prostate Is Enlarged. Is It Common For Men Under 30 To Have Prostate Cancer?
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