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10 Early Signs of Prostate Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore

10-early-signs-of-prostate-cancer-you-shouldnt-ignore

10-early-signs-of-prostate-cancer-you-shouldnt-ignore

Prostate cancer is considered to be one of the most common forms of cancers among males, particularly men aged above 50.  Prostate cancer can often have no apparent symptoms at its very first stage, that is why it is better to be examined regularly and notice any deviations.  In cases where the symptoms appear, they are mostly connected to urine or sexual ability. But when the situation worsens, it may have an impact on other parts of the body as well, says the best urologist in Hisar.

Here are ten early symptoms of prostate cancer that you should not ignore.

1. Excessive urination, particularly at night

In case you are suddenly urinating more frequently, particularly at night (this is known as nocturia), beware, it might be an indicator.  The urethra is surrounded by the prostate gland. It may cause a push on the urinary tract when it becomes large due to cancer.

What to be aware of: Waking up a few times during the night to go to the bathroom, although you might not have consumed too many liquids in the evening.

2. Difficulty in initiating or terminating urination

Other symptoms such as difficulty in initiating or ceasing urine flow may be an indicator of prostate issues, such as prostate cancer.  The reason most of the times is that the prostate is either too large or not formed in the correct shape and thus it will obstruct the flow.

What to watch: there should be a marked reduction in the urine flow or a thin stream of urine that dribbles at the end.

3. A small or feeble urine stream

When your stream begins and ends or it does not have a lot of force, it may be that something is obstructing or hindering the urethra.

What to be aware of: A need to strain or force in order to sustain the pee flow.

4. Pain or burning when you pee

This may be an indicator of prostate cancer particularly in combination with other urinary symptoms. An infection may also be one of its causes.

What to watch out to: a burning or stinginess sensation, although you may be properly hydrated and have no recent infections.

5. Blood in the urine or semen

This is a warning sign.  You should visit a doctor very quickly in case you notice that there is blood in your urine (hematuria) or semen (hematospermia).

What to expect: pink, scarlet or rusty urine or semen.

6. Painful ejaculation or erectile dysfunction

Prostate cancer may make it difficult to have sex either due to the disease or due to its effect on the neighboring nerves and tissues.

Symptoms to watch out for – Difficulty in achieving or maintaining an erection and pain during ejaculation with no obvious cause.

7. Lower back, hip or pelvis pain which has no obvious cause

The spreading of prostate cancer may damage the bones and tissue surrounding the bone.  When the pain in some areas does not disappear, it may be the sign that the cancer has spread.

What to be concerned about: persistent, sharp pain which does not improve with rest or usual painkillers.

8. Failure to have control over your bowels or bladder

The advanced prostate cancer may strain the spinal cord or nerves, thus, it is difficult to manage bowel or bladder movements.

What to expect: You can expect sudden loss of control over urination or bowel motions or strong urges to go.

9. Weight loss or insomnia 

Prostate cancer as well as most other kinds of cancer may result in loss of weight, feeling of being tired even when you are eating and sleeping fine.

What to watch: The loss of weight without effort or constant fatigue without any cause.

10. Swelling in the Feet or Legs

Swollen lymph nodes (lymphedema) develop when the prostate cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes. This occurs more in the lower extremities.

What to be wary of: Ankle swelling, pain, or swelling in your feet or legs which does not resolve.

Frequently asked questions on prostate cancer

Q1: What age do I have to be to begin having prostate cancer checked?

Ans. In the case of men with average risk, the majority of the guidelines indicate that prostate cancer screening must begin at the age of 50.  However, men who are at risk of developing the disease due to family history or are of African or South Asian descent may have to initiate earlier, at 40 to 45 years of age.  

Q2: Do we always make a big deal over prostate cancer?

Ans. Not all the time.  There are prostate tumors which develop at a very slow rate and may not cause much pain particularly when one is very old.  However, the aggressive types may spread rapidly and prove to be fatal unless treated immediately by the best urologist in Hisar.

Q3: How do physicians determine whether one has prostate cancer?

Ans. The diagnosis is usually a combination of:

  •  Blood testing of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
  •  Digital rectal exam (DRE)
  •  Image-based tests such as MRI or ultrasound.
  •  In case of necessity, prostate biopsy.

 

Q4: Could I still have prostate cancer despite the normal levels of PSA reading?

Ans. Yes.  PSA is an excellent marker, but not ideal.  There are men who develop prostate cancer and some do not have cancer and the rest have normal levels of PSA.  That is why it is important to consider all these, both symptoms and the results of a physical examination by the best urologist in Hisar.

Q5: Does the presence of a large prostate indicate that I have cancer?

Ans. Not always.  Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the common swelling of the prostate, which is not malignant, particularly among old men.  It shares most of the same symptoms with prostate cancer and it requires a close examination to be able to distinguish between the two.

Q6: How do I modify my life to reduce my risk?

Ans. Prostate cancer has no definite prevention method but you can reduce your risks by:

  •  Consumption of a plant-based and healthy diet
  •  Keeping your weight in check
  •  Being active physically
  •  Reducing consumption of dairy and red meat
  •  Not smoking
  •  Getting regular check-ups

Q7: What are the types of treatment associated with a diagnosis?

Ans. The treatment will depend on the type and the stage of prostate cancer.  Choices include:

  •  Active surveillance (of slowly growing cases).
  •  Surgery (removal of the prostate)
  •  Radiation treatment
  •  Hormone treatment
  •  Chemotherapy
  •  Newer options such as immunotherapy or area-targeted treatments are available.

Final Thoughts

Prostate cancer may be silent at its early phases and it can be significant when you listen to your body and notice tiny changes. In case you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, you should not rule them out. Early detection saves lives.

If you are more than 50 years old or have risk factors such as a family history, then speak with our doctors at Sarvesh Health City about screening. When prostate cancer is identified early, it is highly treatable but keeping up with the information is your initial defensive mechanism.

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DR. SAHIL PUNIA

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