Prostate Cancer Signs and Symptoms
Many men with prostate cancer have no symptoms. For others, symptoms may only appear once prostate cancer reaches moderate to severe stages. That is why it is important to know your risk factors and ask your doctor if they recommend a prostate screening. Diagnosing prostate cancer in its early stages may make it easier to treat, or even cure.
Key risk factors are:
- Age. Men over 50 are at a higher risk.
- Race and nationality. Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men and less common in Asian American and Hispanic men.
- Family History. Men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer are at a higher risk.
- Diet. Diets high in red meat and/or high-fat dairy foods.
- Obesity. Obese men are at a higher risk.
- Chemical exposure. Men who work with toxic chemicals may be at a higher risk.
- Genetics. Genetics may increase risk.
Key signs and symptoms of prostate cancer that you should be aware of are:
- A need to urinate often, especially at night
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Trouble starting to urinate
- Trouble emptying the bladder
- Being unable to urinate
- Accidental urination
- A painful or burning feeling when you urinate
- Blood in your urine or semen
- Pain or stiffness in your lower back, hips, ribs, or upper thighs
- Not able to have an erection
- Weakness or numbness in legs or feet
Prostate cancer symptoms can also be caused by other prostate conditions, like prostate gland enlargement, and bladder infections. Still, symptoms should never be ignored. It is important to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will obtain a complete medical history and analyze all of your risk factors. He or she will ask you specific questions about your symptoms, including:
- What type of symptoms you have
- How long you have experienced symptoms
- How frequently you have experienced symptoms
Based on your medical history, risk factors, and symptoms, your doctor may order a prostate screening, which consists of a PSA blood test and possibly a physical exam. The results of the screening will give your doctor important information that will help determine if more tests are needed.
If your doctor suspects your symptoms are caused by prostate cancer, he or she will order a core needle biopsy. During the minimally invasive procedure, a prostate tissue sample is collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. A pathologist checks the tissue sample for prostate cancer signs. If cancer is found, a formal diagnosis is made and all treatment options are discussed.
To contact one of New Jersey’s best prostate cancer specialists call
844-CANCERNJ or
844-226-2376.