Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

There are no specific signs or symptoms of prostate cancer however, people experiencing problem in normal urination are advised to go through diagnosis of this type of cancer. The problems with urination usually develop at the later stages of the cancer. It is a life-threatening disease which becomes worse when spread to spine, chest and abdomen.

The Most Common Prostate Cancer Symptom

The need to urinate often is considered as the most common symptom of prostate cancer. The prostate is located in the lower pelvis below the bladder. Urine travels through urethra (a thin tube) when it gets out of the bladder. While entering into the urethra, urine passes directly through the prostate. Due to cancer or any other problem, prostate enlarges and the urethra within it contracts tighter and tighter. Due to narrowed urethra, it becomes difficult for urine to pass through it and get expelled from the body. This leads to four primary urinary problems, which can also be taken as symptoms of prostate cancer:

• Increased Frequency – You might notice yourself urinating much more often than normal
• Urgency - Sensation of immediate need for urination
• Nocturia - Urinating multiple times during the night
• Hesitancy – Having trouble in starting the urine stream.

The enlarged or swelled prostate does not necessary mean that you have prostate cancer. In fact, BPH ( benign prostatic hyperplasia) is a much more common cause of swelled prostate than prostate cancer.  BPH is not a type of cancer, but still needs immediatemedical attention.

Bone Pain

Prostate cancer at its advanced stages commonly spreads to the bones. This results in intense and nagging pain in the hips, spine, ribs (chest), or other areas in proximity of prostate. Sometimes cancer that has spread to the bones of the spine will press on the spinal cord or its nerves, causing weakness or numbness in the legs or feet, or even loss of bladder or bowel control.

Other Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

The urinary problems and pain in bones discussed above remain the most commonly experienced prostate cancer symptoms. However, there are other signs of prostate cancer as well, but they are lesser known. These less common symptoms include:

• Presence of blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen
• Impotency or erectile dysfunction
• Loss of bladder control.

The aforementioned lesser-known symptoms of prostate cancer can be indicative of problems with other organs, such as the bladder or urethra. However, these symptoms should not be neglected.

Read more articles on Prostate Cancer.