Do you actually know the actual signs of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in men. It’s one of the most common cancers among American males and can lead to death if not treated early enough. But don’t worry! There are many symptoms that may indicate this disease, so it’s important to be knowledgeable about them.
The following list will help you identify these symptoms and take action as soon as possible!
Read on for more information about what they are and how to spot them!
What is prostate cancer and how does it affect men?
Prostate cancer is a highly fatal disease that affects the prostate gland, which is an important organ in the male reproductive system. The gland plays a vital function in men by aiding in ejaculation, but can become malignant over time due to a unique characteristic.
Normally, prostate cells grow and divide at the same rate, however, for reasons unknown this mechanism malfunctions with cancerous cells, causing them to rapidly multiply and form a tumor. And badly, it can grow to be advanced prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer in men, other than skin cancer. It is estimated that 1 out of every 7 men will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Although it is often slow-growing, it can be fatal if not detected and treated early.
What is advanced prostate cancer then?
Advanced prostate cancer is the stage of the disease where it has spread beyond the prostate gland to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lymph nodes.
Early prostate cancer symptoms are often difficult to spot, as they can mimic benign conditions such as an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia) or infection. In most cases, prostate gland cancer symptom is a slow growing tumor that produces few symptoms in its early stages. As the tumor grows and invades nearby tissue, it may press on urethra, rectum or bladder causing discomfort or pain with urination or bowel movements.
In its later stages, prostate cancer can metastasize, or spread to other parts of the body, most commonly the bones. Symptoms at this stage can include bone pain, fractures and difficulty walking.
According to a prostate cancer research, it is important for all men to be aware of the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, as early detection is key to successful treatment.
Signs of prostate cancer
Blood in urine
It’s not a very nice feeling to see blood in your urine, but it doesn’t mean you have prostate cancer. However, this symptom does need to be checked out by a doctor as soon as possible! Usually this happens because of an infection or if the tumor blocks the flow of urine.
Often times, these symptoms can also represent benign conditions rather than cancer, so it’s important to get them checked out by a physician.
Blood in semen
This symptom is often overlooked, but it’s a pretty serious one. If you notice blood in your semen, it could be a sign that the prostate cancer has spread to the seminal vesicles or prostate ejaculatory duct. This means that the cancer is more advanced than you might have realized.
Pain during urination
This is one of the most common of urinary symptoms. Pain during urination is often associated with inflammation in the urinary tract which, in turn, can be a result of prostate cancer cells. It may feel like you need to urinate more than usual even if your bladder isn’t full and when you do urinate it might burn or be painful. You may also experience a weak or hesitant urinary stream as well as having to urinate frequently throughout the day and night even if your bladder isn’t full.
A weak urinary stream
If you’re having difficulty starting or stopping your urine flow, it might be a sign of prostate gland cancer. This symptom is often caused by the tumor pressing on the urethra.
Another common prostate cancer symptom is a weak or interrupted urinary stream. This happens because the tumor may cause an obstruction of the urethra resulting in only small amounts of urine being released at any time.
Difficulty starting or stopping urination (urinary incontinence)
This is another common sign that you may have prostate cancer. If you’re having difficulty starting or stopping urination, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible.
Pain in the pelvic area, back or hips
Pain in the pelvic region, back or hips can also be a sign of prostate cancer. This pain may be a result of the tumor pressing on nerves or muscles in the area.
Pain during ejaculation
This is also one of the urinary symptoms. Although this is another one of the less common prostate cancer symptoms, it can happen. Pain happens because of inflammation in the seminal vesicles, which are being compressed by the tumor. This compression causes burning and pain upon ejaculation.
Urinating more often than usual, especially at night
Loss of bladder control is one of the most common prostate cancer symptoms.
It’s when you have to get up more often than usual during the night in order to use the restroom. If you’re a man and feel like you need to urinate more often, it may be a sign of prostate cancer.
If you are going more than once an hour, especially at night, it is best to go see a doctor.
Pain in the pelvic region, lower back or hips
If you’re experiencing pain in the pelvic region, lower back or hips, it’s important to get it checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. This pain may be a sign that you have prostate cancer.
Erectile dysfunction (Loss of libido or sexual dysfunction)
This isn’t just a problem that middle-aged and older men have to worry about! Men of any age can experience erectile dysfunction.
Sometimes this can be caused by other diseases not related to prostate cancer like cardiovascular disease.
However, if you find yourself suddenly unable to get or maintain an erection that lasts long enough for sexual intercourse, it’s time to see your doctor.
Welling or tenderness in the area between the scrotum and anus
One lesser-known sign of prostate cancer is swelling or tenderness in the area between the scrotum and anus. This is often caused by the tumor pressing on nearby nerves or muscles. If you’re experiencing this symptom, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible.
How to identify the prostate cancer symptoms
Now that you know the signs of prostate cancer, it’s important to be able to identify them. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to go see a doctor. Early prostate cancer diagnosis is key in successfully treating prostate cancer.
Sometimes, prostate biopsy is required to diagnosis prostate cancer.
In addition, an annual prostate cancer screening can save your life.
It’s a simple, noninvasive test that every man should have done at age 50. Screenings involve blood tests and physical exams as well as screenings for prostate specific antigens (PSA).
Treatment options for prostate cancer
There are a number of treatment options for prostate cancer. The type of treatment you receive will depend on the stage and severity of your cancer. Some of the most common treatments include:
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy
For more information on these treatments for prostate cancers, please visit our prostate treatment options page.
Prevention methods for prostate gland cancer
There are a number of ways that you can reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer. Some of these methods include:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Getting regular prostate screenings
For more information on how to prevent prostate cancer, please visit our prevention page.
Why Getting checked out when have symptoms of prostate cancer is crucial
There is nothing more essential than getting checkout out once you suspect that you have one of the early warning signs.
The faster prostate cancer is detected, the sooner treatment can begin, and the better the outlook for you, the patient.
Timely diagnosis may very well be the difference between life and death in some cases.
When any of these signs are spotted, it is important to go see a doctor right away to get checked out.
The prostate cancer symptoms checklist can help men who have some of the mentioned above signs to get a prompt checkup. Remember that early detection is key to successful treatment.
Conclusion
Being knowledgeable about the signs of prostate cancer is important for all men. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, don’t hesitate to go see a doctor.
Early diagnosis is key in successfully treating prostate cancer. There are a number of treatment options available, so don’t worry! There’s no need to suffer in silence.
FAQ
How can you tell if you have prostate cancer?
There are a number of different signs and symptoms that can indicate you have prostate cancer. These include:
- Fever or chills
- Difficulty urinating
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Pain or burning during urination
- Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
- Swelling or tenderness in the area between the scrotum and anus
What is a prostate biopsy?
A prostate biopsy is a procedure in which a small sample of tissue is removed from the prostate for examination in a laboratory. This is most commonly done if there is an abnormal result on a digital rectal exam or if you are experiencing symptoms that suggest you have prostate cancer.
What are the early warning signs of prostate gland cancer?
The first signs of prostate problems are not easy to identify. They may include:
- Frequent urination, especially at night
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Pain or burning during urination
How can I check myself for prostate cancer?
You can check yourself for prostate cancer by performing a self-exam. This involves carefully examining your own prostate for lumps or abnormalities that could indicate the presence of cancerous cells. You should also be aware of your body and any changes that take place in order to be on the lookout for early signs.
How does prostate pain feel like?
Prostate pain usually feels like a dull ache in your lower back or abdomen. It can also be sharp or sudden, particularly before you begin to urinate.
What is the main cause of prostate problems?
There are many risk factors that can increase your chances of developing prostate problems including:
- Age: The older you get, the more likely you are to develop prostate issues. This is because the gland often starts growing in size as men grow older.
- Family history: If any close relatives have suffered from prostate cancer or similar diseases, you are at a higher risk.
- Ethnicity: Men of African-American or Caribbean descent are more likely to experience prostate problems than other groups.
- Obesity: Being overweight increases your chances of developing various health problems, including prostate issues.
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to have problems with their prostate gland.
- Race: Prostate cancer is more common in Caucasians than in other races.
- High fat diet: A high fat diet can increase your chances of developing various health problems, including prostate issues.
Do prostate cancer symptoms come and go?
If you have prostate cancer, your symptoms may come and go. This is because the condition progresses slowly and does not cause any immediate problems. But if it untreated, your problems will gradually worsen over time.
Resources
Here are the references our researchers used when writing this article:
- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-symptoms.html
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostate-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353087
- https://www.cancercenter.com/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/symptoms
- https://moffitt.org/cancers/prostate-cancer/faqs/what-are-the-five-warning-signs-of-prostate-cancer/
- https://www.urologyhealth.org/urologic-conditions/prostate-cancer
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-symptoms