Prostate Cancer Signs

Prostate cancer signs do not necessarily show up especially in the early stages. Once you have had a PSA test or a digital rectal examination it can be found. Certain symptoms may show up if the cancerous tumour has made the prostate larger and it begins to press upon the urethra. This causes the passing of urine even more painful and difficult.

As a man grows older the prostate can get enlarged and eventually the bladder or the urethra can get blocked. This condition is “benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This condition is not cancer but the symptoms may be similar to prostate cancer signs. Confirmation of the diagnosis can be done by testing.

Prostate Cancer Signs and symptoms mentioned above should not be ignored. You should immediately consult your doctor and may have to undergo some tests to determine the causes. Remember, most prostate enlargements are not necessarily cancer.

Some of the prostate cancer signs and symptoms are:

• The need to pass urine often, especially at night
• Urgency or intense need to urinate
• Difficulty in stopping or starting the flow of urine
• Not being able to urinate
• Decreased, interrupted or weak stream of urine
• Burning or pain during urination
• Blood in the semen or urine
• Ejaculation that is painful

If you are at a greater risk on account of your family history or even African ancestry then you should consult your doctor as to whether you should be tested at an early age or not. The DRE and PSA tests can help to detect prostate cancer at an early stage but sometimes prostate cancer can be missed. These tests can also cause false alarms or detect the cancer that may not actually pose any threat to you.

Some prostate cancers grow gradually and slowly and can actually be present in the body for years without affecting your health. This is why it is absolutely necessary to discuss with your doctor about your risks of developing prostate cancer as well as the risks and benefits involved in testing.

Some of the questions you can ask your doctor are:

• What are the advantages or disadvantages of having the tests performed?
• What are my risks of getting prostate cancer?
• What do the tests cost?
• What are the tests that I should undergo?
• If my results do not appear normal what is the next step I should take?
• How often should I undergo tests to detect prostate cancer signs?

Many cases of prostate cancer cannot be detected until it spreads beyond the prostate because of the fact that there are no noticeable symptoms and signs in the early stages. Therefore it is important to undergo a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or a DRE – Digital Rectal examination. When the signs and symptoms do finally appear it depends on how far the cancer has already spread. Early prostate cancer signs include urinary symptoms which are also caused by prostate problems that are benign. Some additional prostate cancer signs are discomfort in the pelvic region and swelling in the legs.