What Causes Prostate Symptoms
With both prostate cancers and non cancerous enlargement of the prostate, the larger prostate gland presses on the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. The pressure blocks the flow of urine and causes symptoms such as feeling the need to urgently go to the bathroom or having difficulty passing urine.
Remember that if you have any symptoms you should be checked by your doctor. But most enlargements of the prostate are benign. That means they are not cancer and can be easily treated.
How Is Prostate Cancer Diagnosed
Screenings are the most effective way to catch prostate cancer early. If you are at average cancer risk, youll probably have your first prostate screening at age 55. Your healthcare provider may start testing earlier if you have a family history of the disease or are Black. Screening is generally stopped after age 70, but may be continued in certain circumstances.
Screening tests for prostate cancer include:
- Digital rectal exam: Your provider inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum and feels the prostate gland, which sits in front of the rectum. Bumps or hard areas could indicate cancer.
- Prostate-specific antigen blood test: The prostate gland makes a protein called protein-specific antigen . Elevated PSA levels may indicate cancer. Levels also rise if you have BPH or prostatitis.
- Biopsy: A needle biopsy to sample tissue for cancer cells is the only sure way to diagnose prostate cancer. During an MRI-guided prostate biopsy, magnetic resonance imaging technology provides detailed images of the prostate.
Does Prostate Cancer Have Any Symptoms
Most men with early prostate cancer dont have any signs or symptoms.
One reason for this is the way the cancer grows. Youll usually only get early symptoms if the cancer grows near the tube you urinate through and presses against it, changing the way you urinate . But because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesnt often press on the urethra and cause symptoms.
If you do notice changes in the way you urinate, this is more likely to be a sign of a very common non-cancerous problem called an enlarged prostate, or another health problem. But its still a good idea to get it checked out. Possible changes include:
- difficulty starting to urinate or emptying your bladder
- a weak flow when you urinate
- a feeling that your bladder hasnt emptied properly
- dribbling urine after you finish urinating
- needing to urinate more often than usual, especially at night
- a sudden need to urinate you may sometimes leak urine before you get to the toilet.
If prostate cancer breaks out of the prostate or spreads to other parts of the body , it can cause other symptoms, including:
- back pain, hip pain or pelvis pain
- problems getting or keeping an erection
- blood in the urine or semen
- unexplained weight loss.
These symptoms can all be caused by other health problems. But its still a good idea to tell your GP about any symptoms so they can find out whats causing them and make sure you get the right treatment, if you need it.
Also Check: What Color Ribbon Represents Prostate Cancer
Latest Men’s Health News
At the start, prostate cancer does not cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, you may have trouble urinating. Some men need to urinate often, especially at night. Others have pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the back, hips, or pelvis, and painful ejaculation.
To find out if these symptoms are caused by prostate cancer, your doctor will ask about your past medical problems and your family’s medical history. He or she will perform a physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will put a gloved finger into your rectum to feel your prostate for hard or lumpy areas.
Your doctor may also do a blood test to check the prostate-specific antigen level. PSA levels can be high in men with an enlarged prostate gland or with prostate cancer. You may also need an ultrasound exam that takes computer pictures of the prostate.
If tests show that you might have cancer, your doctor will want to confirm this with a biopsy. He or she will take out tiny pieces of the prostate to look for cancer cells. Your doctor may want to do a biopsy again to re-check the results.
Treatment for prostate cancer depends on whether cancer is in part or all of the prostate or if it has spread to other parts of the body. It also depends on your age and overall health. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment choice for you. You may want to ask another doctor for a second opinion.
Prostate Cancer Caregiver Podcast Series
We are proud to announce a new podcast series geared toward helping give support, hope and guidance to prostate cancer caregivers. The goal of this Prostate Cancer Caregiver Podcast Series is to help others connect with a diverse group of people who have felt the impact of prostate cancer in their lives and empower them on their journey.
Recommended Reading: Chemotherapy Drugs For Prostate Cancer
Of : Recognizing The Risk Factors
Other Conditions That Can Cause Urinary Symptoms
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH is when the prostate gland grows larger. BPH is common in middle-aged and elderly men because the prostate gland often gets bigger as you get older. BPH is not cancerous but it may cause prostate urinary symptoms.
- ProstatitisProstatitis means that the prostate gland has become inflamed. It can be caused by an infection in the prostate gland. It is not a form of prostate cancer. Symptoms can include pain in your testicles, pain when passing urine or an uncomfortable feeling when sitting down.
Read Also: What Happens To The Prostate Later In Life
What Should You Do If You Have The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
If you are presenting one or more of the warning signs of prostate cancer, then it would be wise to promptly consult with a qualified physician. Your symptoms may indicate another, less serious condition and even if you do receive a diagnosis of prostate cancer, it is much easier to treat this disease when detected early on.
To learn more, contact our team of medical professionals at Care New England today.
Sign up for latest updates in health and wellness
Tests Used To Check The Prostate
This first step lets your doctor hear and understand the “story” of your prostate concerns. You’ll be asked whether you have symptoms, how long you’ve had them, and how much they affect your lifestyle. Your personal medical history also includes any risk factors, pain, fever, or trouble passing urine. You may be asked to give a urine sample for testing.
Recommended Reading: Tamsulosin Dry Ejaculation
Risk Factors For Prostate Cancer
Some risk factors have been linked to prostate cancer. A risk factor is something that can raise your chance of developing a disease. Having one or more risk factors doesn’t mean that you will get prostate cancer. It just means that your risk of the disease is greater.
- Age. Men who are 50 or older have a higher risk of prostate cancer.
- Race. African-American men have the highest risk of prostate cancerâthe disease tends to start at younger ages and grows faster than in men of other races. After African-American men, prostate cancer is most common among white men, followed by Hispanic and Native American men. Asian-American men have the lowest rates of prostate cancer.
- Family history. Men whose fathers or brothers have had prostate cancer have a 2 to 3 times higher risk of prostate cancer than men who do not have a family history of the disease. A man who has 3 immediate family members with prostate cancer has about 10 times the risk of a man who does not have a family history of prostate cancer. The younger a man’s relatives are when they have prostate cancer, the greater his risk for developing the disease. Prostate cancer risk also appears to be slightly higher for men from families with a history of breast cancer.
- Diet. The risk of prostate cancer may be higher for men who eat high-fat diets.
Genetic Testing For Prostate Cancer
You may hear a lot about genetics or genomics. Both terms are related to genes and cell DNA, but they are different. These tests are being used to learn more about the DNA of cancer cells, and link DNA mutations with treatments. In the future, genetic testing may be the first step doctors take when diagnosing prostate cancer.
Recommended Reading: Viagra After Turp
Favorite Apps Products And Gadgets
With a simple tap, youll receive information about personalized prostate cancer treatment options to help manage your care. This free app includes questions to ask your doc, calendars to keep track of your appointments, and videos that highlight helpful resources. Downloading it is a great way to stay on top of your cancer!
Dont Miss: Can A Prostate Biopsy Spread Cancer
Recognizing The Risk Factors
Read Also: Is Zinc Good For Prostate
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.
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.
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
How Accurate Is Mri In Diagnosing Prostate Cancer
Various studies and trials have put MRI to the test of diagnosing and detecting prostate cancer. In one particular study, researchers looked at different scenarios for detecting and accurately diagnosing prostate cancer:
- Can we predict who can benefit from a pre-prostate biopsy MRI?
- Do patients with positive MRIs need a prostate biopsy?
- How accurate is MRI in diagnosing prostate cancer?
Data found that patients who had higher levels of PSAs may be the ones who would benefit from a pre-prostate biopsy MRI. The study found that men with higher levels of PSA who underwent prostate biopsies were more likely to have their diagnosis upgraded to a more clinically significant prostate cancer. This means that initial tests may not have been as accurate as doctors would have liked in showing the severity of the prostate cancer. Those who underwent MRI had significantly fewer upgraded diagnoses, which supports the hypothesis that MRIs can aid in accurately diagnosing prostate cancer when paired with other methods of diagnosis.
Similar results were produced when looking at patients with known elevated PSA levels and MRI-visible prostate lesions. Combined biopsy methods were around 60.0% accurate, while the introduction of MRI was over 50% accurate. This trial had the fewest amount of upgrades in diagnosis, showing it most accurately diagnosed the prostate cancers significance.
Read Also: Does Enlarged Prostate Affect Ejaculation
Prostate Cancer Is A Silent Killer: Heres How To Tell If Youre At Risk
A leading urologist is urging Aussie men over the age of 40 to get tested for prostate cancer after revealing a number of men are getting tested too late. Professor Tony Costello, who performed the first open radical prostatectomy using robotic surgery in Australia in 2003, is now on a mission to raise much-needed awareness and reckons telehealth services like Maxwell Plus may be the way to go.
According to Cancer Council Australia, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in Australian men . One in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 85.
Prostate cancer is often referred to as the silent killer because in its early stages there are usually no obvious signs or symptoms, however, there are some things that may mean youre more likely to get the disease, Costello tells Starts at 60.
If they have a family history they are three times more at risk, he explains, adding your risk of prostate cancer also increases with age.
Unfortunately, prostate cancer itself, because it grows on the outside of the prostate, doesnt cause a lot symptoms, Costello says. And if you do get symptoms, it means its a very advanced cancer.
Advanced prostate cancer symptoms can include frequent urination, pain while urinating, blood in the urine or semen, a weak stream, pain in the back or pelvis and weak legs or feet, but Costello stresses some of these symptoms may also point to an enlarged prostate, which is a very common non-cancerous problem.
What You Can Do Now
Sexual side effects from prostate cancer treatment are often temporary, especially if your doctor used nerve-sparing surgery. While your body recovers, you can try a few things to maintain your sex life:
- Let your doctor know about any sexual problems youre having right away. Although it can be hard to talk about sex, being open and honest will help you get the treatment you need.
- See a therapist. Couples therapy can help you and your partner understand and deal with sexual issues.
- Take care of yourself by exercising, eating a well-balanced diet, reducing stress, and getting enough sleep. Looking and feeling your best will give your self-esteem and mood a boost.
You May Like: How To Treat Prostate Cancer That Has Spread To Bones
Testing Options For Prostate Cancer
There is no one age for prostate cancer testing, but the American Cancer Society makes recommendations about screenings. According to the ACS, patients in any of these groups should consider asking their doctor about testing:
- Men age 50 or older who have an average risk of prostate cancer and a life expectancy of at least 10 more years
- Men age 45 or older with a high risk, including African-American men and those with a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer before age 65
- Men age 40 or older who have a higher risk, such as more than one first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer at an early age
What Causes Prostate Cancer
Scientists are still not sure about the correct cause of Prostate Cancer even though the American Cancer Society says that it is the DNA mutation that causes Prostate cancer. This condition helps Oncogenes grow and suppress the tumour suppressor genes.
Scientists also believe that these DNA changes can also be inherited from parents.
Also Check: Tamsulosin Abnormal Ejaculation
Deciding If You Need A Prostate Screening