Prostate cancer symptoms

Prostate cancer symptoms

Difficulty urinating: either trouble getting started or weak or interrupted flow
The need to urinate often, particularly at night
Pain or burning during urination
Blood in urine or semen
Erection problems
Pain during ejaculation or difficulty ejaculating
Stiffness or pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

Cancer is much more likely to be curable if the symptoms are caught early. In fact, with certain types of cancer, such as ovarian and prostate cancer, early detection can make an enormous difference in prognosis and outcome. It’s worthwhile to be hypervigilant, then, in watching for cancer symptoms and aggressive about asking for screening tests and checkups to make sure you and the people you care about are in good health–and stay that way. Here are symptoms of some of the most common cancers, along with important risk factors.

Note: Many men, more than half of those in their 60s, suffer from benign prostatic hypertrophy, a set of symptoms similar to those for prostate cancer (in which the prostate becomes enlarged). This common condition is annoying, but it’s neither a disease nor a life-threatening condition. Any male who has had prostate problems should have a regular PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test and be monitored for prostate cancer. Additional risk factors include a family history of prostate cancer or being African-American.