KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Although treatable, there are concerns regarding prostate cancer diagnosis and management as this disease does not often show any prominent symptoms unless the cancer is aggressive or has become large enough to put pressure on the tube that passes urine through the bladder and penis.
- According to the National Health Service (NHS) of England, enlargement of the prostate gland “does not always mean you have prostate cancer.
- Many men’s prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement.”
What are the
Globally, prostate cancer is the second-most common form of cancer and the sixth leading cause of death every year. Although treatable, there are concerns regarding prostate cancer diagnosis and management as this disease does not often show any prominent symptoms unless the cancer is aggressive or has become large enough to put pressure on the tube that passes urine through the bladder and penis. According to the National Health Service (NHS) of England, enlargement of the prostate gland “does not always mean you have prostate cancer. Many men’s prostates get larger as they get older because of a non-cancerous condition called benign prostate enlargement.”
- Pain and burning sensation during urination
- Painful ejaculation
- Traces of blood in urine
- Weak and interrupted flow of urine
- Blood in semen
- Difficulty in completely emptying the bladder
- Back, hip and pelvic pain that does not go away
- Frequent urination, mostly in the night
Why does prostate cancer not show symptoms in the early stages?
The health body continued to say that if an individual notices changes in the ways he urinates, it could be a sign of enlarged prostate – a non-cancerous condition common in elderly men. Yet, to be on the safer side, getting diagnosed is important to lower the odds of the disease becoming fatal.
What happens when cancer breaks out of the prostate?
If cancer progresses enough to break out of the prostate and spread to other body parts – also known as advanced prostate cancer – it can cause a few more symptoms like:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain in the hips, back and pelvis
- Blood in the semen and urine
- Difficulty in getting and maintaining erections
What are the causes of prostate cancer?
Some factors, however, can increase prostate cancer risk. These include:
- Family history
- Age – men above 50 years of age are more prone to prostate cancer
- Race – prostate cancer is reportedly more aggressive in black people, says
Mayo Clinic - Obesity
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