Cancer of Prostate

It is important to note right from the outset that not always are symptoms prostate cancer an indication of the disease. Many times symptoms could be as a result of the presence of some other non-cancerous disease or disorder. Sometimes the prostrate gland may be enlarged and this may not necessarily be indication of cancer. The key therefore lies in thorough medical tests to determine that it is cancer so that appropriate treatments can be applied.

By and large, these are the signs that can indicate a cancerous condition :

–urinary retention
–pain in urination
–pain in ejaculation
–pain in bowel movement
–pain in lower back, pelvis, and hips
–frequency and excessive urination especially at night
–incontinence
–blood in the urine
–blood in the semen
–anaemia
–pain in the bones
–sudden weight loss
–general lethargy.

The tumor grows very slowly, especially in older men and so symptoms of prostate cancer can be mild, occurring over many years. So it will be found that the cancer cells are benign, in which case there is no cancer present, or malignant, that is indicating the presence of cancer cells.
In the latter situation then, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and a rectal examination (digital rectal exam) will be done even before any treatments are applied. The PSA exam will be run again and again to see if its readings are going up or staying the same. In many cases this continues until there is felt the need to proceed with treatment, then a specialist can be consulted.

To simplify, here is a some important things you should know about prostate cancer symptoms:
– in the very early stages there is often no noticeable symptoms of the cancer and detection is often way after the tumor has spread beyond the prostate.
– not all the symptoms are indication of the presence of cancer and other conditions eg urinary infections should be ruled out.
– urinary problems can be caused simply by an enlarged prostate pressing on the bladder and not by any cancerous tumor. Remember, symptoms of both benign and malignant tumors are the same, and proper testing will help draw the line.
– signs and symptoms (and hence treatment) will depend on how far the cancer has spread.

Get the proper tests done as your doctor will recommend, and when the symptoms prostate cancer are confirmed you will find the right treatment will be done. There is a cure for prostate cancer and many men have the disease but do not have to die from it.