Prostate cancer is a serious health condition that affects the prostate gland, a small gland located below the bladder in men. The risk increases as men grow older, and family history can also increase a man’s chances of developing the disease. One challenge is that early prostate cancer may cause no symptoms at all.
1. Difficulty starting urination: A man may find it difficult to begin passing urine, even when his bladder feels full. This can also happen with an enlarged prostate, so it does not automatically mean cancer.
2. Weak or interrupted urine flow: A urine stream that becomes weak or repeatedly stops and starts may indicate a problem involving the prostate or urinary system.
3. Frequent urination at night: Repeatedly waking up to urinate can be associated with prostate enlargement and other medical conditions. Persistent changes deserve an assessment.
4. Blood in the urine or semen: Blood in urine or semen should be checked by a healthcare professional. Infections and other conditions can cause it, but it should never be ignored.
5. Pain in the back, hips or pelvis: Persistent pain in these areas can have many causes. In advanced prostate cancer, cancer may spread to the bones and cause pain.
6. Erectile difficulties: Some men with prostate problems experience changes in sexual function. Erectile difficulties are common and do not prove that someone has prostate cancer, but new or persistent problems should be discussed with a clinician.
Final thoughts: Prostate cancer cannot be confirmed by checking symptoms alone. A doctor may discuss a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test and other examinations, depending on a man’s age, risk factors and preferences. Men with a family history of prostate cancer should discuss their risk with a healthcare professional. Early medical advice is better than waiting until symptoms become severe.
Leave a Reply