Prostate cancer ranks among the most frequent types of cancer in males. Physicians have tried to minimize the risk by including prostate examination in most men’s annual medical examination, but that’s not enough. Unfortunately, the majority of men don’t not know that they should be watchful and check for certain indications that betray prostate cancer development.
Prostate cancer is not something trivial
Prostate cancer is often considered by non-experts as a type of cancer that is easily treated. Indeed, prostate cancer grows gradually in a period of months or even years before becoming somehow dangerous to the man’s body. On the other hand, that’s also the problem: as indications and symptoms aggravate so slowly that they can easily pass unnoticed, inducing a man to miss his annual checkups and consider his lack of minor symptoms as normal.
In early stages, prostate cancer frequently has no symptoms at all. Given that prostate tumors need quite a long time to reach a certain size and betray their existence it’s of vital importance for men to get to know their body’s special characteristics, thus being able to discern any peculiar alterations or changes that may appear. That level of body awareness will urge you to seek immediate help should you notice any strange feature or indication.
Initial indications of prostate cancer
Irrespective of age, all men should be informed about the initial indications of prostate cancer and be watchful of them. Of course, checking for these signs is even more imperative as years pass by.
Following, are the most frequent signs and symptoms that you should watch out for:
- difficulty in urinating;
- blood in urine;
- inability to empty the bladder;
- difficulty in controlling your bowels or bladder;
- Erectile dysfunction.
On the other hand, there are certain infrequent symptoms that the majority of men do not believe to be linked to prostate cancer development. If you notice some of these indications appearing suddenly, you should consult your physician about them:
- unusual pains in your back, spine, hips and chest;
- sudden and radical weight loss;
- a constant feeling of exhaustion or tiredness;
- a feeling of numbness in your feet and legs in general.
Of course, if you detect a regular and recurring indication of prostate cancer, do not hesitate to consult your physician as soon as possible.
Read more in our Prostate Cancer Health Center.
About the Author: Dr. David B Samadi is a board certified urologic oncologist trained in open traditional and laparoscopic surgery and is an expert in robotic prostate surgery. He is Chairman of Urology, and Chief of Robotic Surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital. He has dedicated his distinguished career to the early detection, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and is considered one of the most prominent surgeons in his field.
