What Are 5 Common Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
In many cases, prostate cancer does not produce clear symptoms in its initial stages of development. In fact, many men may have prostate cancer without even realizing it. However, there are some common warning signs that could indicate a person has prostate cancer. Five of the most common ones include:
Of course, these five symptoms are not the only potential warning signs of prostate cancer. Other possible indicators could include weak urine flow, and unexplained pain deep in the groin area when sitting down. If cancer has spread beyond the prostate, a man may also suffer lower body swelling, abnormal urinary or bowel habits, or inexplicable weight loss.
It’s important to note that most of these symptoms are not unique to prostate cancer, and may indicate a different condition that is not life-threatening.
So What Are The Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Unfortunately, there usually arent any early warning signs for prostate cancer. The growing tumor does not push against anything to cause pain, so for many years the disease may be silent. Thats why screening for prostate cancer is such an important topic for all men and their families.
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In rare cases, prostate cancer can cause symptoms. Contact your doctor for an evaluation if you experience any of the following:
- A need to urinate frequently, especially at night, some- times urgently
- Difficulty starting or holding back urination
- Weak, dribbling, or interrupted flow of urine
- Painful or burning urination
- Difficulty in having an erection
- A decrease in the amount of fluid ejaculated
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Pressure or pain in the rectum
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
Remember: urinary symptoms dont necessarily mean you have cancer. Prostatitis or BPH are benign diseases but can cause similar symptoms and are very common.
What about difficulty in having an erection? Again, this is most likely not caused by cancer but by other factors such as diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease, or just plain getting older.
That said: Symptoms are symptoms, and no matter whats most likely to be causing them, you should get them checked out by a doctor.
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Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer can be hard to self-diagnose because there are not many symptoms. When you start to see changes in your prostate, you will want to compare your symptoms to the following five warning signs before going to your doctor:
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What Are The 5 Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Medically Reviewed by: Dr. BautistaUpdated on: December 11, 2019
Like other cancers, prostate cancer begins when a bodys cells grow out of control and spread to other areas. Its the second most common cancer 1 in American men, behind skin cancer, with 1 in 9 men diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Although prostate problems mainly happen to men as they have a prostate,women can get prostate cancer as well it is a rare risk, but it can happen.
Whether you are a man or woman, its important to understand the warning signs of prostate cancer so that it can be caught early. Early signs of prostate cancer may not show but understanding what a prostate cancer symptom may look like is important. Many patients wonder what are the 5 warning signs of prostate cancer?. Well, most early prostate cancers dont show symptoms and are found through blood tests or digital rectal exams .
Usually, when prostate cancer shows signs, its often diagnosed at a later stage and conventional orholistic treatment for prostate cancer would be needed. However, well take a closer look at the warning signs in this article, but as an overview, these prostate cancer symptoms typically involve the urinary system .
How Do You Know If You Have Prostate Cancer
Theres no way of knowing if you have prostate cancer without visiting your doctor, as most men with early prostate cancer dont have any symptoms. And if you do have symptoms they can be caused by other things.
And you cant check for prostate cancer yourself.
You may want to speak to your GP if you’re over 50 , even if you don’t have any symptoms. These are all things that can increase your risk of prostate cancer. Your GP can give more information or tests if necessary.
If youre not sure about what to say to your GP, print and fill out this form and show it to them. This will help you have the conversation.
I thought I could be at risk after learning that African Caribbean men are more likely to get prostate cancer than white men.
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Spotting The Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
About 175,000 men are expected to develop prostate cancer this year, according to estimates from the American Cancer Society, and about 32,000 men are expected to die of the disease. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer-related death in American men, following lung cancer. Spread out over a lifetime, about one out of every nine men will have prostate cancer, and one out of every 41 men will die of the disease.
Those are some sobering statistics. But as serious as prostate cancer can be, its also highly curable as long as its caught and treated early, before the cancer has a chance to spread. The American Cancer Society estimates the five-year survival rate for men with localized cancer that is, cancer thats confined to the prostate at nearly 100% when treatment starts right away even if the cancer has spread to the local region, including the lymph nodes and neighboring areas, the five-year survival rate is still nearly 100%. However, if the cancer goes undetected and spreads to other organs or more distant parts of the body, the five-year survival rate drops to about 30%. Bottom line: Early detection saves lives. And part of detecting prostate cancer in its earliest stages is knowing what symptoms to look for so you can be evaluated as quickly as possible.
Detection And Diagnosis Of Prostate Cancer
Currently there are no mens health tests that provide sufficient accuracy to screen large populations of men for prostate cancer. This is why theres no official screening program for prostate cancer, like there is for breast cancer.
The most common test used to determine if there is a problem , is the prostate specific antigen blood test. This test measures levels of PSA, as elevated levels may indicate cancer. However, only one in three men with elevated PSA levels have cancer. Because these levels can vary, you may need to have a few tests over time, so your doctor can determine your risk of cancer.
Your doctor may also perform a digital rectal examination , which involves inserting a gloved, lubricated finger inside your rectum to check for prostate enlargement.
Results of the blood tests and/or DRE will determine if you need to have further tests.
Noticing new or unusual symptoms can be worrying. However, it doesnt always mean something is wrong. If you do notice anything unusual, follow up with your doctor. Because like most health conditions, the earlier cancer is detected, the better the treatment outcome.
Please note: The information supplied is general in nature. Please consult your medical practitioner for individual advice.
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Frequent Urination Particularly At Night
Frequent urination at night is a symptom we call nocturia in a doctors jargon. It is actually one of the earliest symptoms that patients with prostate cancer report. Waking up at night to urinate is uncommon in young males, but it is not alarming.
When this happens every night, it can be due to the patients habits and moderate prostate growth. But waking up twice or three times every night should be an alarm sign for men, especially after 50 years old.
Urinary frequency also increases throughout the day. Patients may need to use the bathroom very often, which becomes a problem when they go out. This symptom should be closely monitored in some patients with a voiding diary. In this diary, patients input how much water or other liquids they are taking. They also input the number of times they go to the bathroom and the hour. This way, we can differentiate when patients are only drinking too much water. It is also useful to give doctors clear and accurate data instead of an approximate number by memory recall.
Urination becomes more frequent because prostate enlargement presses upon the urethra. The available space becomes reduced, and the bladder needs to push harder to urinate. Theres a pressure change in the bladder, and it will only void partially, leaving the remaining volume of urine accumulating. So, it fills once again more rapidly, triggering the urge to urinate.
Blood In Semen Or Urine
Blood in both the urine and seminal fluid is key to look for. As a tumor develops in the prostate gland, it can grow, causing it to press on the urethra, surrounding glands, and blood vessels. As this happens 2, structures can become irritated , which leads to bloody urine or semen. Down the line, blood in the semen or urine can also happen as a result of common prostate cancer treatment options.
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Advanced Prostate Cancer Symptoms
Men with advanced prostate cancer may experience additional symptoms. Thats because the cancer has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body, such as the bones or lymph nodes.
Signs of metastatic prostate cancer may include:
- Swelling in legs or pelvic area
- Numbness or pain in the hips, legs or feet
- Bone pain that persists or leads to fractures
A wide range of treatment options are available for managing advanced cancer. These treatments kill cancer cells, but they may also help patients manage pain.
How Is Prostate Cancer Treated
The treatment plan for prostate cancer depends on the following factors:
- The stage and grade of cancer
- Age and health
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How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed
Screening asymptomatic men help identify early prostate cancer. Screening is recommended in men:
- Who are between 55 and 69 years of age
- Who is African American
- Who have a family history of prostate cancer
Screening methods include:
- Digital rectal examination helps to find prostate problems
- Prostate-specific antigen : Increased PSA levels in the blood can sometimes indicate prostate cancer.
- Diagnosis:
- Definite diagnosis is based on the biopsy of the prostate tissue.
- Magnetic resonance imaging studies and imaging tests may be used to assess the distant spread .
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Some Early Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Some potential early signs of prostate cancer include the following:
In addition, there can be weak and interrupted urine flow, unusual pain around the prostate when sitting, swelling in the lower back, feet, and legs, abnormal bowel function or urinary habits, and weight loss.
Each additional symptom you have could indicate a problem, so do not delay in scheduling a screening appointment with Dr. Steven Gange in Salt Lake City.
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Can Women Get Prostate Cancer
Women do not have a prostate gland, therefore, they cannot develop the prostate cancer that affects men. However, some people refer to a womans Skenes glands as the female prostate.
Maslow emphasizes, Women do not have a prostate. They do not need to worry about prostate cancer. We do appropriate screenings for female patients.
The Skenes glands are the two small ducts located in front of the vaginal wall and along both sides of the urethra. These glands are not the same as prostate glands in men, though they function similarly in how they drain fluids into the urethra.
Cancer in the Skenes glands is extremely rare and accounts for an estimated 0.003% of female cancers that originate in the urinary tract and genitals. The primary symptom of this cancer is bleeding out of the urethra. Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you are female and experience abnormal bleeding from your vagina or urethra.
Have Any Of These Symptoms Visit Norman Urology
Theres no sense in worrying needlessly come see us at Norman Urology. We take urological care seriously for both men and women. Whether you have a benign condition or something more serious, you can count on superior, specialized care from experienced, compassionate professionals.
Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment. We cant wait to meet you.
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How Can Prostate Cancer Be Treated
Prostate cancer can be treated in a number of different ways depending on factors such as the severity of cancer and the rate at which it is growing.
Maslow explains, In my 20 years of oncology experience, I have seen many changes on the front of prostate cancer. All treatment forms depend on the aggressiveness of the disease and the patients current health status. Radiation often plays a big part in treatment of prostate cancer. This comes in many formsexternal beam radiation, prostate seed implants, proton therapy, high intensity focused ultrasound, and chemotherapy. In some cases for advanced disease, radioactive isotopes can be administered to make the patient more comfortable.
Low-grade prostate cancer may not require treatment, especially if you arent experiencing any symptoms. In these instances, a doctor may recommend active surveillance, which involves closely monitoring symptoms and undergoing regular blood testing, rectal exams, and prostate biopsies.
Other treatments for prostate cancer include hormone therapy, freezing or heating the prostate tissue, surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted drug therapy. Your doctor can recommend the best prostate cancer treatment for you based on your unique condition.
Why Is The Psas Role In Detecting Early
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.
Its especially important to start testing your PSA level starting at your 40s, 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
- statistics of World Cancer Research Fund, shows that prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. you are African American .
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 its 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.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
In its early stages, prostate cancer may not have any symptoms. However, in the later stages, symptoms can include:
- the sudden or frequent need to urinate, particularly at night
- difficulty urinating
- feeling uncomfortable or in pain when urinating
- blood in the urine or semen
- pain in the lower back, upper thighs or hips.
Its important to remember that these symptoms dont mean you have prostate cancer. However, you should follow up with your doctor to make sure everything is okay.
What Are The 5 Early Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer is one of the deadliest and common forms of cancer affecting males in the United States. Prostate is a walnut shaped gland which produces seminal fluid that provides nutrients to sperms. It also acts as a medium through which sperms are transported. Prostate enlargement is quite a common condition and generally happens as an individual ages. It is a benign condition and does not affect the health in any way.
However, sometimes the prostate gland starts to grow rapidly such that it starts to pressurize and invade the adjoining areas. This is what is defined as a Prostate Cancer. This form of cancer is extremely aggressive and spreads quickly which is what makes it a deadly disease.
If diagnosed in its initial stages where the cancer has not spread to other areas, then the chances of a successful recovery from Prostate cancer is quite good.
There is no known cause for Prostate Cancer however, research suggests abnormal mutations in the genes result in abnormal cell division within the prostate gland causing a tumor which takes the shape of cancer relatively quickly.
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