Prostate cancer does not usually cause any symptoms in the early stages, and many people are unaware that they have the disease. That’s why prostate cancer screening with the PSA test and digital rectal exam are so important. These can detect the disease before symptoms even begin, and your doctor can do them in an office visit.
In later stages of the disease, you may experience these symptoms:
- Difficulty urinating, or decreased flow of urine. In some cases, a tumor in the prostate presses on the urethra, causing urine to dribble out or even stop. More often, this is instead caused by an enlarged prostate, which is common in older men and is not cancerous.
- Blood in the urine. While blood in the urine can be caused by a variety of conditions like a urinary tract infection, it can also be caused by cancer of the bladder, kidney or prostate. If you have blood in your urine, see your doctor. Do not ignore this symptom, even if you are not experiencing pain.
- Discomfort in the pelvic area
- Weakness in the legs
- Bone pain
These symptoms aren’t always cancer, but it’s important that you see your doctor promptly for an accurate diagnosis.