Prostate Cancer symptoms

One of the common cancers afflicting men occurs in the prostate. Generally, it appears after 40 years old and the risk of having it increases with age.

The prostate is a little, walnut-sized structure which is a part of the reproductive system of a man. It is located around the urethra (a tube that is responsible in carrying urine out of your body).

The exact cause of prostate cancer is still unknown, although there are some studies showing its relationship with increased testosterone levels or high dietary fat intake. This was found out when the cancer slowly got better when testosterone levels were lowered – either by medication or surgical removal of testicles (castration).

Prostate cancer symptoms do not exist if the cancer is caught in its earlier stage. This is the reason why you have to schedule a yearly rectal examination through your doctor, if you are a male over 40 years old.

Prostate cancers can be grouped according to the way they spread – this is called staging. Here are ways to stage tumors:

• Stage A & B – Tumor is not felt, but is only detected during physical examination
• Stage C – Tumor has spread but does not yet reach the lymph nodes
• Stage D – Tumor has metastasized (spread) to lymph nodes and other body parts such as lungs and bones.

You will know if you might be at risk if you experience these prostate cancer symptoms:

• Frequent stiffness or pain in the upper thighs, hips, or lower back
• Blood in semen or urine
• Painful ejaculation
• Difficulty in starting an erection
• Burning or painful urination
• Interrupted or weak flow of urine
• Difficulty holding back urine or starting urination
• Frequent need to urinate, especially at night

Since this type of cancer is oftentimes slow in its growth and spread, you should immediately ask your doctor to perform a diagnostic examination if you experience these prostate cancer symptoms.