Signs of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is a disease that affects the prostate gland, located near the bladder in a male. There are often no signs early on that someone is suffering from prostate cancer, and indeed the disease is usually first discovered during a routine screening. The signs of prostate cancer depend on just how far along the disease is and if the cancer has spread outside of the prostate.

Urination Signs

• Urinary troubles sometimes can give prostate cancer away at a relatively early stage. Such signs include trouble urinating, having a hard time getting a stream of urine started and a weak stream of urine. However, these signs are much more likely to be caused by conditions such as an enlarged prostate.

Bleeding

• Prostate cancer is capable of resulting in blood in a man's urine and also in the semen. This occurs when the cancer has reached an advanced stage. Problems achieving an erection have also been associated with prostate cancer.

Swelling

• When prostate cancer has made its way into nearby lymph nodes, then one sign would be a swelling in the individual's legs. A feeling of discomfort in the region of the pelvis can also occur.

Bone Pain

• Prostate cancer frequently spreads into the bones, so a sign of this happening would be pain in the hips, ribs, spine and/or other areas. Weakness or a tingling numbness in the legs could be a sign that prostate cancer has invaded the spine and is pressing on spinal nerves.

Risk Factors

• It is prudent for men to know what increases the risk of prostate cancer, because there are so few obvious signs of the disease. Men older than 50 are more at risk, as are African-American males. Anyone with a family history of prostate cancer needs to be alert to the possibility he may suffer from it, and a diet high in fat has been linked to prostate cancer.