{"id":2714,"date":"2019-01-21T08:21:39","date_gmt":"2019-01-21T08:21:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=2714"},"modified":"2021-05-24T17:09:33","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T17:09:33","slug":"12-signs-of-prostate-cancer-men-should-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/12-signs-of-prostate-cancer-men-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Signs of Prostate Cancer Men Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The prostate is a small, walnut-shaped gland found under the bladder. The prostate wraps around the urethra and controls the release of urine. The prostate also produces semen, the fluid that transports sperm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men over the age of 50-years are at high risk of developing prostate cancer, especially if it runs in the family. Cancer cells that grow in the prostate will usually stay in this area and don\u2019t spread further in the body. However, prostate cancer is the second most common form of the disease affecting men in the United States, and it\u2019s the leading cause of death in men aged 75-years or older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prostate cancer cells typically grow slowly, so there\u2019s time to receive the treatment you need before the disease reaches its advanced stages. Unfortunately, this type of cancer produces symptoms that are barely noticeable in the early stages of the disease. Here are eight signs of prostate cancer that men should know.
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1.    Difficult or Painful Urination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common for men to develop a condition known as \u201cdysuria,\u201d in middle age. Various adverse health conditions cause dysuria, including bladder infections, bladder cancer, and prostate cancer<\/a>. Dysuria is best described as a burning sensation while urinating. Sometimes, affected individuals make experience trouble urinating as well, even if their bladder feels full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dysuria can cause mild to severe pain in the pelvic area. The condition indicates that a mass is pressing down on the urinary tract. In most cases, this additional pressure comes from an enlarged prostate gland. The prostate can enlarge due to a condition, known as \u201cbenign prostate hyperplasia,\u201d (BHP.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that chronic bacterial prostatitis is a common cause of urinary tract infections leading to painful urination. If you experience frequent bouts of dysuria, it could be from exposure to this bacterium, or it could be a warning sign of prostate cancer, visit your doctor for a diagnosis.
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2.    Very Weak Urine Flow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Men in the initial stages of prostate cancer will notice that their urine stream begins to weaken and the pace at which urine leaves the body starts to slow down. As the cancer cells grow in the prostate<\/a>, they damage the muscles and nerves that control urine flow. This sign is also commonly caused by BPH, where the enlarged prostate begins to exert pressure on the urethra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty in starting urination is another issue that appears alongside a weak urine stream. This condition is known as \u201curinary hesitancy,\u201d and men affected by hesitancy symptoms experience embarrassment that makes them avoid public urination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the condition progresses, it becomes more difficult to start urinating, even if the bladder is full to its maximum capacity. The urine stream becomes weaker and weaker, leading to a very uncomfortable feeling while urinating. As a result of the lack of pressure, many people suffering from the condition strain their abdominal muscles to start the flow, resulting in an uncontrollable urine stream.
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3.    Frequent Urination<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When cancerous tumors <\/a>press against the bladder, it results in more frequent trips to the bathroom as the bladder has a reduced capacity to hold urine. This condition is another warning sign of prostate cancer that you shouldn\u2019t ignore. The cause of the symptom is often confused with BPH and requires a diagnosis from a medical professional to determine the cause of the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reduced volume in the bladder combined with dysuria can lead to a feeling that the bladder did not release all of the urine during your last trip to the bathroom, resulting in the need to visit the restroom more frequently. Incontinence is another symptom of prostate cancer that occurs when the gland clamps down on the urethra during the last moments of urination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the affected individual may dribble or leak small amounts of urine for a few minutes after finishing urination. Some men even wear absorbent pads to prevent the urine from leaking into their pants or down the legs.
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4.    Hematuria<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This condition refers to blood in the urine. It\u2019s a scary sight to see your urine turn dark brown. Typically, hematuria <\/a>occurs when there\u2019s damage to the kidneys from a forceful impact or bacterial infection. Men that are experiencing blood in the urine that are otherwise in good health may have prostate cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hematuria is a critical symptom of the disease that you shouldn\u2019t ignore and requires immediate medical attention. Blood in the urine is a sign that the tumor has damaged the urethra or prostate, resulting in bleeding. This symptom generally occurs during the advanced stage of the disease where the prostate has reached a size that\u2019s large enough to disrupt normal urinary tract function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Confusing hematuria symptoms with issues affecting the kidneys is possible. However, it\u2019s a dangerous warning sign of prostate cancer as well. Anyone experiencing this condition should visit their physician immediately for a diagnosis and treatment.
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5.    Blood in Semen and Painful Ejaculation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Blood in urine is a sign of prostate cancer, and so is blood in semen<\/a>. The medical term for this condition is, \u201cHematospermia.\u201d Cancerous tumors are prone to bleeding. Blood in the semen can also occur after a recent prostate biopsy, and the symptoms subside naturally after a few weeks. The condition is challenging to identify, as most men don\u2019t examine their semen for blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hematospermia is also an indicator of less significant health issues as well. Bloody semen can come from a variety of other causes, including infection or inflammation of the glands, ducts, and tubes that move semen in the body. Affected areas may include the vas deferens and epididymis, (the regions where sperm develop before ejaculation.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you notice any signs of blood in your semen, contact your medical professional for a diagnosis as quickly as possible. Your doctor may order a prostate biopsy that evaluates the gland tissue for cancer cells.
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6.    Fatigue and Weight Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Men experiencing signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may also notice that the condition affects their appetite <\/a>and energy levels. These symptoms are typical for any form of cancer, and among some of the first warning signs of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When cancer develops in the body, the body begins to feed the cancer cells, causing them to multiply. As the cells reach a critical mass in the affected organ or region, they start to create a sensation of fatigue that lasts from the moment you wake up until the end of the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fatigue is an entirely different feeling compared to just being tired. Fatigue doesn\u2019t go away, no matter how many naps you take or cups of coffee your drink. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unexplained weight loss typically occurs alongside feelings of fatigue. As cancer cells spread, the body starts to feel less hungry and, as a result, the affected individual begins to eat less \u2013 leading to weight loss.
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7.    Swollen Legs and Feet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may seem like an unrelated cause at first glance, but swollen legs and ankles can also be a sign of prostate cancer. Cancer cells affect the lymph nodes<\/a> by constricting their size, reducing the flow of fluid through the nodes. As the condition progresses, the cancer cells metastasize, causing severe or mild edema, or swelling, in the feet, ankles, the lower limbs, and the abdomen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The medical community refers to this condition as \u201cLymphedema.\u201d  from prostate cancer treatment usually causes swelling in one or both legs, the tummy or around the genital area. The lymph nodes remove toxins and waste from lymph fluid. When cancer cells attack the lymph fluid, the result is a swelling in the affected regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Medical professionals sometimes confuse this condition with cardiovascular problems that produce the same effect. It\u2019s also common for lymphedema to occur post-surgery after cancer treatment, speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about the health of your lymphatic system.
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8.    Erectile Dysfunction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our last sign of prostate cancer comes from the treatment aspect of the disease. If cancer remains undetected and undiagnosed, the cells can reach the advanced stage of the disease and require removal through surgery<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors remove cancerous tumors from the prostate using different methods, depending on the stage of the disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prostatectomy \u2013  This procedure removes the prostate and seminal vesicles while sparing the nerves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radiation therapy \u2013 Can result in ED over the course of treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blood vessels and nerves surrounding the prostate are incredibly delicate, and it\u2019s possible that an inexperienced surgeon may cause damage to their normal function while removing the cancerous tumors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trauma to the area affects blood flow to the penis and, as a result, many men receive ED symptoms post-op. Men that receive excellent surgical assistance typically find that ED symptoms subside around 12-months after surgery, provided they have the right post-operative care. Men with existing Ed issues before surgery may discover they have a more challenging time recovering their erectile function.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Numbness or Pain in the Lower Body<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Inflammation in the prostate results in numbness or pain in the lower body due to tumors increasing the size of the gland. As the tumor <\/a>or tumors grow, they expand the size of the prostate, placing pressure on surrounding organs. This pressure results in symptoms of pain in the abdomen or pelvis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If left undiagnosed and untreated, the prostate will eventually begin to send pain signals to the body to let it know something is wrong. However, individuals who do not seek treatment for the condition will end up experiencing further symptoms, such as blood in the urine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pain and numbness can come and go throughout the day, with it rarely presenting symptoms on a 24-hour basis. If you notice any pain in the lower body, coupled with any of the other symptoms, speak to your doctor for diagnosis and treatment immediately. When caught in its early stages, prostate cancer is curable and has an excellent 5-year survival rate.
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10. Bone Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

People who have prostate cancer may notice signs of bone pain. Medical science is at a loss to explain the cause of this symptom. However, it\u2019s thought that this pain may have something to do with cancer cells metastasizing to the skeletal system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals living with chronic inflammatory bone diseases, such as arthritis and osteoporosis<\/a>, may experience the severity of symptoms more considerable than those in healthy individuals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While bone pain may be an uncommon symptom, it\u2019s a sign of prostate cancer that you shouldn\u2019t ignore. Speak to your doctor and mention your symptoms, they may order another batch of the test to determine the source of the bone pain. Treatment for the condition may include painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications to reduce symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those individuals with an inflammatory bone disease may need to include additional medications or supplements to their diet, and drug protocol\u2019s to reduce the pain symptoms and increase their mobility.
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11. Incontinence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The prostate controls the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra. Individuals with prostate cancer may lose the ability to control the prostate gland unconsciously. As a result, they develop a condition known as \u201cincontinence.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incontinence occurs when the prostate can\u2019t cut off the flow of urine <\/a>entirely after urinating. As a result, the affected individual may notice feelings that they didn\u2019t empty their bladder. They may also see that they tend to dribble or leak after finishing urination. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Incontinence is not life-threatening, but it can become highly embarrassing in social situations. Incontinence may start as a slight leak, and develop into the complete loss of bladder control as the condition progresses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A swollen prostate is not always a sign of cancer. The condition can develop due to a disorder known as \u201cBenign Prostate Hyperplasia,\u201d where tissues in the gland swell and produce symptoms of incontinence. Doctors treat incontinence by using DHT drugs that decrease the size of the prostate gland.
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12. Uncomfortable Sitting Position<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prostate cancer causes tissues in the gland to swell as they deal with the expanding tumor<\/a>. The additional pressure on the pelvic floor may make sitting in a position for long periods uncomfortable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Affected individuals may notice a feeling of pressure between their legs, under the genitals. As the glutes sit on a surface, they transfer force through the pelvis. A swollen prostate gland produces symptoms of discomfort after a short period. In rare cases, pain may accompany these sensations of pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you feel uncomfortable while sitting, you could be suffering from a swollen prostate due to the development of BPH or prostate cancer. Visit your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor will use DHT drugs to decrease the size of the prostate gland and use bloodwork tests to determine your prostate health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men who undergo prostate surgery may need to sit on a supportive cushioned ring for a few weeks to relieve symptoms of pressure and pain.
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