Saturday, June 28, 2008

Prostate cancer symptoms: How You Know it?

Prostate cancer symptoms

Many men do not seek medical advice when the symptoms are present, partly because they are very similar to those of another disease: BPH or benign prostatic hypertrophy. Prostate cancer can also be present for years without causing any symptoms and is often not detected until it is in an advanced stage. In this article about prostate cancer symptoms, prostate treatment, radiation and more, we aim to introduce you to prostate cancer so that you have an outline of important information if you ever find yourself, or someone you love facing a similar situation.

The existing symptoms of prostate problems may or may not signal cancer including necessity to urinate very often, painful and burning urination, bloody urine, lower back pain or pain in the pelvis or upper thighs, dribbling after urination, blood in semen, weak urine flow, difficulty in starting urination, painful or burning urination, sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder, stopping and starting urination along with not being able to urinate, painful ejaculation, blood cells in the semen or urine, as well as frequent pain and cramps in the lower back, hips and upper thighs.

In the early stages, prostate cancer has few symptoms and many of the symptoms associated with this disease are also found in other less serious illnesses. Symptoms only set in once the tumor spreads.

The patients receive no active treatment unless symptoms appear. At the outset, there are no clear prostate cancer symptoms that patients can be easily noticed. Catching prostate cancer early is the best way for a man to increase their chances of survival and that involves knowing the symptoms and seeing a doctor regularly. These symptoms can also be from an enlarged prostate which is not life threatening. Chronic (bacterial) prostatitis, which develops gradually and may only have subtle symptoms, though it often continues for a prolonged period.

Other symptoms for prostate health concerns include urgent needs to urinate, the need to wake up several times a night to do this or dribbling of urine after and even before urinating.

One of the most common symptoms listed above is the difficulty starting to pass urine, but keep your eye out for the others. Men with this prostate problem who do experience symptoms are likely to notice difficulty in starting urination, frequent urination as well as an increased frequency in awakening at night to urinate. It is advisable that men experiencing these symptoms should consult their physician for an accurate diagnosis.

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