Prostate cancer warning symptoms and 12 early signs revealed
Early-stage prostate cancer usually has very few or no warning signs at all. Early detection of prostate cancer is one of the strongest weapons against the disease. Cancer could only raise concern if the tumor happens to press on the urethra and cause changes to your urine flow. Early signs of prostate cancer may not be visible and their undetectable nature can lead to cancer progression.
Why is the PSA’s role in detecting early-stage prostate cancer?
Most men detect prostate cancer in the early stages during annual check-ups at their doctors, when they get their annual PSA screening or digital rectal exam.Spotted in its early stages, prostate cancer can be cured.
It’s especially important to start testing your PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) level starting at your 40’s, especially if you check one or more of the risk factors:
- you are a male over the age of 50
- there is prostate cancer history in your family (especially if your father or brother have had it)
- statistics of World Cancer Research Fund, shows that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. you are African American (African American men are 1.7 times more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than white men).
The signs of prostate cancer generally become more noticeable in the advanced stages of the disease. Prostate cancer symptoms are not usually caused by cancer itself, but rather as a result of blockage caused by the increased growth of the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is associated with urinary dysfunction as the prostate gland surrounds the prostatic urethra. Changes within the gland directly affect urinary function.
Because the vas deferens deposits seminal fluid into the prostatic urethra, and secretions from the prostate are included in semen content, prostate cancer may also cause problems with sexual function and performance, such as difficulty achieving erection or painful ejaculation and urinary tract difficulties. This is why it’s imperative to have a yearly check-up done in order to catch prostate cancer in the early stages when it can be treated more effectively.
What are the 12 early signs of prostate cancer?
A detailed study of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about prostate cancer symptoms mentioned if you experience any or more of the symptoms below, it’s a warning sign that you have to go see your GP. In a lot of cases, if the pain is located in your bones or pelvic area, it could be a signal that cancer has spread.
Here are 12 warning signs and symptoms of prostate cancer that should never be ignored in order to prevent the development and progression of the disease.
- A Noticeable burning while urinating or during ejaculation
If you notice an acute burning while urinating, it may be an early sign of prostate cancer, but not necessarily. Do not over panic, schedule a urology appointment, and follow the medical advice.
- A frequent need to urinate
The urinary frequency may be another prostate cancer early sign. When the prostate enlarges because of a malignant tumor, it may cause frequent urination. But this also may happen because of a benign state, such as BPH. Talk with your urologist about your symptoms and have your prostate checked.
- Difficulty starting or stopping a stream of urine
One of the prostate cancer early warning signs may be the difficulty of starting or stopping the stream of urine. When the prostate gland is affected, it presses on the bladder and creates urinary issues.
- A weak or dribbling flow of urine
Another early prostate cancer sign is weak or even dribbling flow of urine. If you experience this symptom associated with another one, talk with your urologist about your condition.
- Inability to urinate standing up
Prostate cancer may cause pelvic pain and this can lead to the inability to urinate standing up. If you experience this symptom, talk to your doctor.
- Weak or decreased flow in your urinary stream
Decreased urinary flow may be caused by a urethra blockage. The enlarged prostate gland may squeeze the urethra and lead to a weak urinary flow. A biopsy will determine if the enlargement is malign or benign.
- Feeling a need to hold back while urinating
The need to hold back while urinating may represent a sign to look out for prostate cancer.
- Blood in urine
Hematuria, or blood in urine, as it is known, should be a warning sign for you. Do not wait until the situation becomes worse to go see a urologist.
- Blood in semen
According to the website of the Cancer Research UK, the most frequent symptom is blood in semen. Semen with blood is a sign that something goes wrong in your prostate. The prostate gland produces the seminal fluid that nourishes the cells and helps them survive the acidic environment of the vagina. That is why, if you notice blood in your semen, that may be an early sign of prostate cancer.
- Pain in the bones
Pain in the bones may have several causes, but prostate cancer may be one of them. When cancer spreads to the pelvic floor, it causes bone pain. This is a sign of advanced prostate cancer, that is why you should take immediate measures to find the exact cause of your pain.
- Erectile dysfunction
It is known that prostate cancer usually leads to sexual dysfunction. Therefore, erectile dysfunction might be a warning sign of prostate cancer. The prostate muscles have an important role in ejaculation and erection, that is why go have your prostate checked if you notice that your sexual performance is going down.
- Pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, lower back, or upper thighs
Symptoms associated with prostate cancer can also be caused by other non-cancerous diseases, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The latter is often confused with prostate cancer. Your doctor can help to diagnose your exact condition and address any of the issues listed above with treatment.
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When to contact your doctor if you notice warning signs of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer can have various symptoms for different people. Most of people don’t recognize any signs at all. Prostate cancer is becoming more and more treatable — especially when it’s caught early. Don’t panic and don’t jump to the worst conclusions, you just need to be sure to contact your doctor if you go through the symptoms below. Prostate cancer symptoms in the advanced stages can also have similarities to other cancers. Some of these symptoms include:
- Chronic pain in your lower back, pelvis, and upper thigh bones. Pain in these areas is caused by the spread of prostate cancer (metastasis).
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Swelling in the lower extremities
