Prostate cancer is a serious disease that affects one out of every seven men. One of the best defenses you have against prostate cancer is early detection, which means you should educate yourself on the following symptoms.
Problems Urinating
One of the most common symptoms of prostate cancer is problems during urination. This could mean that you are suddenly getting the urge to urinate far more often than usual. Another potential symptom is suddenly being unable to urinate even though you have a strong need to use the bathroom. You could also start to experience problems with the pressure of the stream during urination. All of these symptoms could indicate the development of prostate cancer.
Presence of Blood
A more serious symptom of prostate cancer is the appearance of blood in your urine or semen. Blood can appear if the cancer is starting to harm the prostate and surrounding tissue significantly. If you start to see traces of blood in your bodily fluids, then it is important to see a doctor right away.
Pain in the Midsection
The growth of cancer cells in and around the prostate can start to affect other areas of the body. The cancerous growths can actually start to block blood vessels or cause swelling. The result is pain in different parts of the midsection. Common areas that experience pain the hips, thighs, sides, or abdomen. You could also experience a type of dull and deep lower back pain as a result of prostate cancer.
Consistent Numbness
The same cancerous growth that can cause pain in the body can also cause numbness. You might have consistent numbness, tingling, or weakness in your feet or legs. The numbness could actually lead to loss of bowel control if the cancerous growths start to push against your spine.
Difficulty Having Sex
Another possible symptom of prostate cancer is difficulty having sex. This means being unable to achieve a full erection. You might also have difficulty ejaculating or maintaining an erection for a normal period of time. Difficulty having sex can be caused by many things and should always be reported to a doctor.
Sudden Weight Loss
Prostate cancer can prevent the body from processing food correctly. The result could be a sudden loss of weight. This means you start to lose weight even though you are not on a diet and have not changed everyday behaviors.
What to Do If Symptoms Appear
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, it is important to visit a doctor as soon as possible. Catching prostate cancer early can significantly increase the chance of beating the disease. It is also important to visit a doctor if some symptoms eventually go away, because they could indicate other serious medical problems.
