6 Symptoms of Prostate Cancer to Know
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affect men. Prostate cancer occurs in the area of the prostate, which produces seminal fluid. Typically, men over the age of 50 are at risk for this type of cancer. Other risk factors, including being obese, family history, and race. Knowing the symptoms of prostate cancer can help you to be aware of them. Keeping an eye on your body will alert you to any potential issues:
1. Difficulty urinating
One of the most common symptoms of prostate cancer is trouble urinating. You may notice that your stream is not as good as it should be, or you may feel the need to urinate frequently, but nothing comes out. This is a sign that your prostate may be swollen.
2. Pelvic pain
Pain in the area of your pelvis can indicate a potential for prostate cancer. This pain may be constant or come and go. You can experience it at any time for any reason. If you experience pelvic pain, it is best to see your doctor to determine the root cause.
3. Blood present in urine
If you notice a reddish or rusty color in the toilet after you urinate, you may have blood in the urine. This could be something as simple as a urinary tract infection, but it is crucial to speak with your doctor any time you see potential blood in your urine.
4. Fatigue
When you have prostate cancer, you may lose blood, and your white blood cells may be elevated due to your body trying to attack the cancer. This can cause you to feel exhausted. If you notice that you have felt more tired than usual, you will want to speak with your doctor to ensure that it is not an issue with your prostate.
5. Blood in semen
In some cases, men experience blood in their semen. Blood in your semen is a strong indicator that something is wrong with your prostate. This issue needs to be addressed immediately by your physician to help to find out the cause.
6. Erectile dysfunction
When you have issues with your prostate, you may experience issues with erectile dysfunction. While erectile dysfunction can happen for various reasons, if you start to experience it frequently, or it is paired with any of the above symptoms, it is a good idea to get it checked out.
Prostate cancer can be easily treated if it is detected early. If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should get checked out by your doctor immediately. Treatment options include radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery. Treatments will depend on the severity of the cancer as well as whether or not it has spread.