The prostate is a vital element of the male biological reproductive system. It’s about the size and shape of a walnut — but if left unchecked, this small gland can cause big problems.
Early-stage prostate cancer usually has very few or no warning signs at all. Early detection of prostate cancer is one of the strongest weapons against the disease. Cancer could only raise concern if the tumor happens to press on the urethra and cause changes to your urine flow. Early signs of prostate cancer may not be visible and their undetectable nature can lead to cancer progression.
Early prostate cancer symptoms
Because of the proximity of the prostate gland to the bladder and urethra, prostate cancer may be accompanied by a variety of urinary symptoms, especially in the early stages. Depending on its size and location, a tumor may press on and constrict the urethra, inhibiting the flow of urine. Some early prostate cancer signs include:
- Burning or pain during urination
- Difficulty urinating, or trouble starting and stopping while urinating
- More frequent urges to urinate at night
- Loss of bladder control
- Decreased flow or velocity of urine stream
- Blood in urine (hematuria)
- Blood in semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Painful ejaculation
Symptoms that the cancer is progressing to a potentially more serious stage include a loss of appetite, weight loss and constant pain.
CAUSES
It’s’s not clear what causes prostate cancer. Doctors know that prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate develop changes in their DNA. A cell’s DNA contains the instructions that tell a cell what to do. The changes tell the cells to grow and divide more rapidly than normal cells do. The abnormal cells continue living, when other cells would die.
The accumulating abnormal cells form a tumor that can grow to invade nearby tissue. In time, some abnormal cells can break away and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.
Are there prostate cancer risk factors to consider?
Cancer researchers have identified several factors that could increase a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. In considering whether any of these risk factors apply to you, remember that having one or more of them does not mean you will get the disease. However, you should be sure to get all the prostate cancer screenings your physician recommends. It is also important to know that men without these risk factors may also have prostate cancer.
Age
Prostate cancer has long been considered a disease of the elderly, with the majority of cases diagnosed in men older than 65. However, there have been rare cases of men in their 30s with prostate cancer. Generally, the likelihood of a man having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50.
Race and ethnicity
According to the American Cancer Society, American and Caribbean men of African ancestry have higher prostate cancer rates than those of other races, and they also tend to be younger when the disease develops. Conversely, Asian American and Hispanic/Latino men have lower prostate cancer rates than non-Hispanic whites. The reasons for racial and ethnic variations in prostate cancer risk are unclear.
Family history
Men whose father or brother was diagnosed with prostate cancer face a significantly higher risk of developing the disease, and the risk increases if there are several relatives who received a prostate cancer diagnosis. However, it is important to note that most prostate cancers occur in men without a family history of the disease.
What should I do if I have prostate cancer symptoms?
If you are displaying one or more signs of prostate cancer, be sure to promptly consult with a physician. Even benign (noncancerous) prostate conditions like prostate enlargement warrant timely medical attention, so don’t delay seeking treatment. And, like most other malignancies, prostate cancer is usually more easily treated when it is detected at an early stage.
