Prostate Cancer Symptoms
There are number of prostate cancer symptoms that can be found in its earliest stage. Prostate cancer is one of the third killer cancers in the United States nowadays. According to several studies, 1 out 6 American man contracts prostate cancer in his lifetime. The mortality rate is lower of course at 1 death for every 34 men who contracts prostate cancer. However, such lower mortality rate is not a cause for celebration. There are so many reasons for men to avoid prostate cancer. In fact, all of us, not just the men should strive to avoid contracting such deadly diseases like cancers of all types.
The most common symptoms of prostate cancer include:
- a general pain in the prostate area
- a need to urinate frequently, especially at nighttime
- difficulty in urinating, both in starting or holding back
- interrupted or weak flow of urine
- the presence of blood and in urine and semen
- pain or burning sensation when urinating
- erectile dysfunction (inability to have or sustain an erection)
- uncomfortable or painful ejaculation
- a frequent pain or stiffness in the upper thighs, hips, or lower back
The aforementioned symptoms can also be related to other reproductive diseases other than prostate cancer. To determine exactly what you have, it is imperative that you see a doctor or a reproductive specialist, who will conduct several tests and recommend a course of treatment for you.
Early Symptoms Prostate Cancer
Early symptoms prostate cancer can be found in its earliest stage by means of conducting tests on the amount of PSA or prostate-specific antigen in the patient’s blood. PSA is a substance produced by the normal prostate gland that is mostly found in the semen. However, a small amount of PSA can also be found in the blood and can be very useful in determining as to, where or not there be abnormalities going on in the prostate of a man. The normal level of PSA in the bloodstream in men is under 4ng/mL (nanograms per milliliter). Abnormalities in the prostate could cause the level of PSA in the blood thus, where a man has 4 to 10 ng/mL of PSA in his blood, he has 1 in 4 chances of having prostate cancer.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer: Higher Prostate Cancer PSA Level
Other Symptoms of prostate cancer are, if a man has more than 10ng/ml of PSA in his blood, he has 50% chances of having prostate cancer. Note that having high PSA is not a guarantee that you have prostate cancer. There are rare instance where men having PSA of below 4ng/ml are also found to have prostate cancer. In certain case, PSA in the blood increases because a man is taking certain drugs, has infection in the prostate, or is getting older. Remember that old age could also affect the functions of the prostate and would sometimes cause symptoms of prostate cancer, which is increased level of PSA in the blood.
Prostate Cancer Symptom: Bumps and Hard Places in the Prostate
Another way of determining if a man has prostate cancer is through a digital rectal exam (DRE). The prostate is a walnut size gland located in front of the rectum thus it would be easy for a doctor to conduct and examination for prostate cancer symptoms by feeling for bumps and hard places in the prostate. Most doctors recommend that men, particularly those who are already in their 60’s or even those who are younger but have a family history of prostate cancer, should take this test yearly. Routine check ups every year could be very effective in finding prostate cancers in its early and treatable stages. Any type of cancer found at an early stage has very good prognosis of successful treatment so it is best to find them early and treat them accordingly.
Sudden Decline in Prostate Cancer Symptoms
As early as the 1990’s it has become more common in men to have the tests to find possible prostate cancer and arrest its growth. Since then, death related to prostate cancer has dramatically dropped. However, there are still men who are afraid of taking such test for some unfounded fear that it will affect their manhood. There is no need to fear actually, as these tests have no effect on whatsoever in ones virility.
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