Prostate cancer - Symptoms and Signs

The prostate is a small organ the size of a walnut located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Abnormal malignant growth of cells in the prostate is called prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a serious disease that affects thousands of middle-aged and older men each year.

With this disease, there is a rapid and abnormal growth of cells. Sometimes cancer cells grow slowly (mostly at early stages) and don’t cause any serious harm. At other times, cancer cells spread to other parts of the body and become life-threatening. To diagnose prostate cancer early, these are signs and symptoms to be aware of.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

The actual cause of prostate cancer is still unknown. According to some researchers, prostate cancer is caused by changes in prostate cells DNA. These changes instruct the abnormal division of cells,  forming the tumor that invades surrounding tissue. Some cells metastasize and spread cancer to other parts of the body.

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

The slow growth of prostate cancer is mostly non-systematic but the rapid growth aggressive form of prostate cancer will cause symptoms. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact and visit your physician immediately.

• Urinary issues:The most common symptom of prostate cancer are issues related to the urinary system. This is due to the position of the growing prostate cancer, under the bladder. The tumor invades the surrounding tissue of the bladder and compresses it. Some symptoms you may experience are frequent or difficulty when urinating or hematuria (blood in urine).
• Sexual issues:Some individuals may experience erectile dysfunction and blood in semen after ejaculation. This is also one of the common symptoms of prostate cancer.
• Pain and numbness:When prostate cancer spreads to the other parts of the body, especially to the bones, it causes pain in various areas like the pelvic area, back, and chest. Moreover, if it spreads to the spinal cord, it causes numbness in the lower part of the body.

Can Prostate Cancer Show Early Signs?

During the early stage, prostate cancer does not show any diagnostic signs. If you observe any signs, it could be any other condition as for example benign prostatic hyperplasia. The earliest symptoms that you could notice with prostate cancer are mostly associated with the urinary system. Blood found in urine or difficulty when urinating can also be associated with other conditions. So most important is to consult your physician immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment.