Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

Dr.Arun Giri, 3 mins read

Frequent urination (especially at night), weak urine stream, urinary retention, blood in the urine/semen, painful ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, and pain in the lower back/bones are the common early warning signs of prostate cancer. 

Though these symptoms could be of any condition, as prostate cancer symptoms are not very specific, they should never be ignored. Consult a physician if you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms.

What Is Prostate Cancer?

Prostate cancer is characterised by the growth of malignant cells in the prostate. It is a male reproductive gland that produces a fluid to nourish and protect sperm. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland below the bladder (A hollow organ that stores urine) that surrounds the urethra (A tube that carries urine and sperm from the bladder to out of the body).

Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer, and most of the time, it doesn’t produce noticeable symptoms in the early stages. However, keeping a check on even subtle changes and getting a periodic health checkup can help you in early detection. Additionally, below are some early warning signs of prostate cancer that might help you in early detection.  

Urinary Changes

One of the first signs people complain of is urinary alterations. The reason is obvious. The prostate gland encircles the urethra. A tumour in prostate cancer puts pressure on the urethra, which affects the urine flow. 

However, every man experiences different changes. These changes could be any of the following:

• Increased urination, especially at night (nocturia)
• Weak urine stream
• Difficulty starting and stopping urination 
• Interruption during urination
• A feeling that the bladder is not completely empty 

Blood in Urine or Semen

This symptom cannot be taken lightly. Even a small amount of blood in urine (hematuria) or semen (hematospermia) can be an indication of something serious. They could be an indication of prostate cancer or other prostate-related problems like infections or inflammation. 

Therefore, it is important to understand the seriousness of this symptom and get yourself properly diagnosed and treated for the underlying condition. 

Painful Ejaculation or Erectile Dysfunction 

Another common symptom of prostate cancer that many men face in the initial stages is a problem with sexual function. These problems include two sexual issues: erectile dysfunction and painful ejaculation. The prostate gland, along with surrounding nerves, controls the process of penis erection and ejaculation. 

A malignant tumour in this region affects this process and causes these sexual problems. Talk to a doctor to know whether it is due to age or health issues. Early detection and treatment can improve the survival rate and preserve sexual health as well.

Pain in Bones and Back

Sometimes, early warning signs of prostate cancer also manifest as discomfort in the pelvic area and pain in the lower back, hip, and thigh. The pain or discomfort may persist continuously or may come and go. In that case, a medical evaluation becomes necessary to check for the underlying cause. 

If you or someone you know is having these symptoms, don’t interpret them as usual and don’t self-diagnose. Consult a doctor and get yourself tested. Even if it is prostate cancer, Aakash Healthcare offers holistic and advanced treatment options with an expert team of uro-oncologists.