Common Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

As one of the most common types of cancer in the United States, many men are trying to figure out how to assess whether they might be developing prostate cancer. It will affect 1 in 6 men, and it is more common in older men, men who have a close family member who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, African American men, and men who have a diet high in fats and sugars.

There are a number of warning signs that will often accompany prostate cancer in its advanced stages. However, they are typically not present in early stages of prostate cancer. So, by the time the warning signs are present, it may be that cancer has enlarged and spread to other parts of the body. This is why it is important to get screened regularly for prostate cancer after the age of 50, and begin screenings even earlier if you are at risk.

Warning Sign of Prostate Cancer: Urination Issues

Because the prostate gland is so close to the urethra, most of the problems that are associated with prostate cancer are related to urination. This is because the growth of the tumor in the prostate glad will put pressure on the urethra. This pressure can manifest itself in many different ways, including, but not limited to frequent urination (especially during the night), difficulty starting or stopping urination, painful urination, and the presence of blood in urine.

Warning Sign of Prostate Cancer: Pain in Pelvic Area

Another warning sign of prostate cancer that will usually not manifest itself until the cancer is at a very advanced stage is deep bone pain in the lower back, pelvis, and upper thighs. The cause of this pain is the spread of prostate cancer to the surrounding bones, and it is very important to move quickly on screening and treatment of prostate cancer if these warning signs appear.

Note on Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

Although the above warning signs are present with advanced stages of prostate cancer, they are also common warning signs of other prostate and urinary tract-related health issues. The most common problems that these warning signs accompany are prostatitis, which is an infection of the prostate, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a fancy term for an enlarged prostate, a common health problem in older men. Your doctor will be able to provide a full diagnosis and discuss treatment options for prostate-related problems.

Sources:
www.prostatecancerfoundation.org
www.webmd.com