What are signs of prostate cancer?

Male patient speaking with a female doctor about prostate concerns — Photo Courtesy: Adobe Images

Of every 100 American men, an average of 13 will get prostate cancer during their lifetimes. Although prostate cancer is a serious condition, men who get treatment early have a high chance of recovery.

Learning to recognize the signs of prostate cancer and knowing the risk factors that might give you a higher chance of developing the condition are two crucial steps you can take to ensure you can get the help you need. By also including regular prostate cancer screenings, you will be ready to tackle this condition in its early stages. Learn more about prostate cancer, who is at risk, and what you can do if you develop the condition.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate gland, which is a part of the male reproductive system. This walnut-shaped gland sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the top portion of the urethra and drains urine from the bladder, then produces semen that transports sperm and keeps it healthy.

When prostate cancer is in the early stages, you may not have any symptoms, or you may experience intermittent urination problems or sexual dysfunction.

As the disease progresses, however, other symptoms can appear. The most common symptoms you might experience include:

Frequent urination
Blood in the urine
Need to urinate frequently at night
Interrupted or weak urine flow
Pain or burning during urination
Discomfort or pain when sitting
Painful ejaculation

Men with prostate cancer that has spread from the prostate gland to other parts of the body can have additional symptoms. Signs of metastatic prostate cancer include:

Persistent bone pain
Swelling in the pelvic area or legs
Numbness or pain in the legs, hips, or feet

If you notice any of these signs, seeing your doctor as soon as possible is vital.

Prostate cancer risk factors

Men over the age of 50 are more likely to get diagnosed with prostate cancer. Those with a close relative who had prostate cancer are also at a higher risk. And if breast cancer runs in your family, you may be at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.

Race can also play a role, as men with African ancestry have a higher chance of developing the disease. Black men are also more at risk of getting the disease before age 50.

Certain lifestyle choices can also affect your prostate cancer risk. If you are overweight or smoke or if you have sexually transmitted infections, you are more likely to develop this type of cancer.

Screening and diagnostic tests for prostate cancer

Doctors often catch prostate cancer during a digital rectal exam, even in its early stages. During this exam, your doctor inserts a lubricated and gloved finger into your rectum. If your doctor finds any abnormalities in the prostate gland's texture, size, or shape, you will have to go through more tests.

Another diagnostic test is the prostate-specific antigen test. Your prostate gland makes a protein called the protein-specific antigen (PSA). If you have high levels of this protein, it can indicate prostate cancer.

If there are signs of cancer, your doctor can perform an ultrasound using sound waves to get a clear picture of your prostate. An MRI scan can also create a more detailed picture.

A prostate biopsy is an effective way to determine whether you have prostate cancer. During this procedure, your doctor takes a small sample of prostate tissue to analyze.

Treatment of prostate cancer

For some prostate cancers, treatment may not be necessary. Your doctor might recommend a wait-and-see approach with regular follow-up blood tests, prostate biopsies, and rectal exams.

Another treatment option is to remove the prostate. Along with prostate removal, you might also undergo radiation and chemotherapy to prevent or treat the spread of cancer to other parts of your body.

In addition, systemic therapies like hormone therapy prevent testosterone from reaching cancer cells. This can keep them from growing and spreading.

Focal therapies are another choice, with laser ablation, high-intensity focused ultrasound, and cryotherapy helping kill cancer cells in your prostate by either heating or freezing them.