Note the unusual signs of prostate cancer
There are a number of cancers that can affect us. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), breast, lung, colon and rectum and prostate cancers are some of the most common cancers in the world. Collectively, all these types of cancers are the leading cause of death worldwide, accounting for nearly 10 million deaths in 2020.
Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer that mostly develops in men over the age of 50 and the risk increases as one grows older. These can cause several symptoms and if left untreated, can spread to other parts of the body.
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Prostate cancer can sometimes be asymptomatic
Cancers take their time to develop and spread, which is why it tends to grow slowly and gradually over many years. Most men with early prostate cancer do not experience any noticeable signs. Only as the tumour grows and progresses, signs of prostate cancer begin to appear.
There are times, when men develop early signs of prostate cancer, but mistake them for other benign illnesses. This can be concerning as delay in diagnosis means delay in treatment too.
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Early warning signs may look like:
Prostate cancer, as most of us know, is the cancer of the prostate. It occurs when the cells in the prostate start to grow uncontrollably. Prostate is a walnut-shaped gland, located at the base of the bladder. This is why some of the common symptoms include:
- Frequent urination
- A weak flow when you urinate
- A sudden need to urinate
- Feeling as though the bladder is never full empty, even after peeing
Watch out for pain signals in different parts of the body
With the progress in the disease and depending on how far it has advanced, you may experience more unusual signs in your body.
According to Jeremy Oates, consultant urological surgeon at The Christie Private Care in Manchester, you can develop a dull ache in the back, hip and pelvis.
“If the cancer has spread to surrounding areas, such as the bones in the hips and pelvis, it could be causing pain in the form of a dull ache, or sharp stabbing sensations,” Mr Oates told Express.co.uk.
Other signs of advanced prostate cancer include: unexplained weight loss and painful ejaculation and blood in the semen.
Who is at risk?
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the common risk factors of prostate cancer include:
- Older age i.e. people aged 50 and above
- Race - many health bodies suggest that black people are at a greater risk of prostate cancer than other races.
- A family history of prostate cancer or genetics.
- Obesity
Get tested regularly
If you have any urinary symptoms, it is best to visit a urologist and get yourself tested. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may advise you to get a PSA blood test, which helps detect high levels of the protein in your blood - indicative of cancer. They may examine your prostate gland and also do an MRI scan to be more accurate about the diagnosis. Biopsies may be required to reach a conclusion.