Prostate cancer - Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Prostate Cancer – Symptoms

Check for the following signs as they are reliable indicators of prostate cancer -

● Dull pain in the lower part of your pelvis

● Frequent urination

● Incontinence

● Difficulty in urinating

● Weak and small urine flow

● Painful urination

● Bloody urine

● Painful ejaculation

● Lower back, hip, and thigh pain

● Appetite loss

● Weight loss

● Bone pain

Prevention From Prostate Cancer

The best part is that a healthy lifestyle and consumption of certain medicines can help prevent prostate cancer. Living a healthy lifestyle means not smoking, drinking excessively, exercising regularly, eating foods like fruits, vegetables, and nuts that are high in antioxidants, and maintaining your Body Mass Index (BMI) are all key in preventing prostate cancer.

Certain medicines like Proscar and Avodart can also help prevent prostate cancer.

When to see a doctor?

You should see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above. See a doctor if you are in your 30s or 40s and experience any of the symptoms of prostate cancer. Keep in mind if you are that young, you can experience these symptoms and still not have prostate cancer, but numerous studies have indicated that men who have these symptoms while young almost always develop prostate cancer by the time they’re 50!

If you have bloody semen or urine, see the doctor immediately. Doing so could save your life! You should see the doctor to be screened for prostate cancer at least once a year, especially if there is any history of your earlier generations suffering from either prostate or breast cancer. The latest statistics reveal that men with a family history or either or both diseases are 300% more likely to get prostate cancer themselves.

Early detection

Treating prostate cancer will be more comfortable, and your chances of survival will be higher if you have prostate cancer, and it is detected early. Annual screenings can help your doctor catch any ‘red flags’ which indicate that you are developing the disease before you even produce any symptoms. Prostate cancer screening consists of many tests, the main ones being the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test and the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE).

PSA blood test

The PSA is a blood test which will measure your blood-PSA levels. PSA is a protein which is present only if you are developing prostate cancer. It is an easy test to do and can be done in an outpatient setting. Men without prostate cancer have deficient levels of PSA in their bloodstream. If you have high levels of PSA, you likely have or are developing prostate cancer. Keep in mind that no test can tell doctors how severe your prostate cancer is if you have it.

DRE

The DRE examines your rectal region and is a relatively accurate indicator of prostate cancer. You will bend over or be in a curled and lying position on the exam table. The doctor will check for polyps and cysts in your rectum with a lubricated and gloved finger. They can also determine if your prostate is of average size and shape. Abnormally shaped and sized prostates often signal prostate cancer. Only the PSA can decide whether you are developing prostate cancer, though.

You should be screened if - 

You need prostate cancer screening if you are

● Of African descent

● Are 55-69 

● Prostate cancer runs in your family

Early screening and detection can either prevent prostate cancer from developing or spreading. This can add many years to your life and dramatically improve the quality of your life as well.