What are the 5 warning signs of prostate cancer?
Find out what are the five warning signs of prostate cancer, so you can take action early
The cause of prostate cancer is difficult to pinpoint. There is no one distinguishing factor that causes prostate. Still, several risk factors, such as a family history or men who carry excess body weight, appear linked to increasing the development of prostate cancer. The disease begins when normal prostate cells in the prostate gland experience changes or mutations in their DNA. DNA controls how cells function. But when DNA mutations occur, cells within the prostate begin to grow and divide more rapidly than usual. This abnormal growth of prostate cells can form a cancerous tumor within the prostate.
What are the 5 warning signs of prostate cancer and how to recognise them early
Prostate cancer is usually symptomless in the beginning. Symptoms of prostate cancer often don’t appear until the disease has advanced or has metastasized to the bones or lymph nodes.
Many signs of prostate cancer share symptoms of noncancerous prostate conditions which include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a benign, enlarged prostate, and prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate gland. Men displaying possible symptoms of prostate cancer should see their urologist for an accurate diagnosis and treatment, if necessary.
Here are 5 warning signs that might indicate prostate cancer:
1. Pain or a burning sensation noticed when urinating or ejaculating
2. The need to urinate more often, especially during the night
3. Trouble starting or stopping a urine stream
4. Difficulty getting an erection (erectile dysfunction or ED)
5. Blood in urine or semen
Other signs of prostate cancer in men may include hip pain, pain in the back, chest, or other areas if cancer spreads to the bones, loss of bladder or bowel functioning, and weakness or numbness in legs or feet.
Risk factors of prostate cancer
Anything that raises a person’s risk of cancer is considered a risk factor. Each type of cancer has its unique risk factors, including prostate cancer. Keep in mind that men with several risk factors for prostate cancer may never develop the disease, while other men with few risk factors do. However, research has identified certain risk prostate cancer factors that may increase a man’s risk of this disease that, include the following:
Age
After age 50, a man’s risk of prostate cancer rapidly increases. The average age men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer is 66. But, prostate cancer can develop in younger men, which is often more aggressive, so beginning at age 40, all men should get a baseline prostatic-specific antigen or PSA blood test, to screen for this disease.
Race/ethnicity
It is unclear why African American men and Caribbean men of African ancestry have a higher risk of prostate cancer. Conversely, men who are Asian American, Hispanic/Latino, or non-Hispanic Whites have lower rates of prostate cancer.
Family history
While most cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed in men without a family history, some families have an inherited or genetic factor, increasing a man’s risk.
Gene changes
Inherited mutations of genes may raise prostate risk. Men with inherited gene mutations of BRCA1 or BRCA2, that are known to increase a woman’s risk of breast and ovarian cancers, may also face a higher risk of prostate cancer.
Lynch syndrome
An inherited genetic condition, Lynch syndrome is linked to an increased risk for cancer, including prostate cancer.
What men should do if they have any of these 5 warning signs of prostate cancer.
First, men must recognize urinary or sexual changes linked to prostate cancer. Secondly, men experiencing any possible symptoms of prostate cancer should visit a urologist who can diagnose and treat if the condition is prostate cancer or if it’s a benign condition.
Dr. David Samadi is the Director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Long Island. He’s a renowned and highly successful board certified Urologic Oncologist Expert and Robotic Surgeon in New York City, regarded as one of the leading prostate surgeons in the U.S., with a vast expertise in prostate cancer treatment and Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy. Dr. Samadi is a medical contributor to NewsMax TV and is also the author of The Ultimate MANual, Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, available online both on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Visit Dr. Samadi’s websites at robotic oncology and prostate cancer 911.