Do I Have Prostate Cancer? 12 Symptoms Men Should Never Ignore

Prostate cancer symptoms may not occur in the early stages of the disease. Men with prostate cancer often notice signs as the disease advances. It's important to stay up-to-date with yearly check-ups in order to catch it in the early stages.

These are 12 symptoms men should not ignore to prevent the progression of possible prostate cancer:

1. Difficulty urinating and sometimes an inability to urinate standing up.

2. A need to urinate frequently, especially during the night.

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3. Trouble starting to urinate or a need to hold back when you're urinating.

4. Weak flow or decreased force in the stream of urine. You might notice a simple dribble or a feeling of bladder fullness.

5. Noticing burning when urinating.

6. Blood in urine.

7. Blood in semen.

8. Painful ejaculation.

9. General pain that affects the lower back, hips or thighs.

10. Discomfort in the pelvic area.

11. Bone pain.

12. Erectile dysfunction.

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Prostate cancer symptoms are not actually caused by the cancer itself, but because of the blockage resulting from the growth in the prostate, says WebMD. That's why the growth can affect sexual or urinary activities for men.

The symptoms might also be caused by non-cancerous disorders, such as a urinary tract infection or enlarged prostate. Your doctor can address these problems. Having symptoms checked out early on will bring emotional and physical relief.

See your doctor immediately if you suffer from various symptoms of advanced prostate cancer. These signs might include dull, deep pain or stiffness in the lower back, pelvis, ribs or upper thighs. Bone pain might also occur in these areas.

Prostate cancer symptoms in advanced stages have similarities to signs of other cancers. There might be weight loss for no apparent reason, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, swelling of the lower extremities and weakness that affects the lower limbs, says eMedicineHealth.

This article is for information only and is not intended as medical advice. Talk with your doctor about your specific health and medical needs.

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