Each year, over 200,000 men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer, reports the Association for International Cancer Research (AICR). Men over the age of 50 are at the highest risk of developing prostate cancer. Unfortunately, many patients with this form of cancer do not experience any noticeable symptoms during the early stages of disease. Men at risk for prostate cancer should discuss the warning symptoms with a doctor.
Difficulty Urinating
Unusual urination difficulties are warning symptoms of prostate cancer, report medical professionals at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. The prostate is a small gland that sits near the bladder. Cancerous cell growth within the prostate can inflame this organ, causing it to press into the bladder or urethra, the small tube that carries urine out of the body. When this occurs, affected patients can experience a frequent urge to urinate that yields a weak stream of urine. An inability to urinate can also occur as a warning symptom of prostate cancer in affected men. Certain patients can experience sensations of pain or burning during urination due to this form of cancer. Prostate cancer can also lead to urinary incontinence, a symptom in which a man is unable to voluntarily control urine production. Any type of urination difficulty should be reported to a doctor immediately as these warning symptoms of prostate cancer can be indicative of alternate medical conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or urinary tract infection.
Blood in the Urine
Blood in the urine, a symptom called hematuria, can be a warning sign of prostate cancer in men, explains the AICR. Cancer cells within the prostate can lead to urinary tract irritation, which can cause inflammation of the urethra. As a result, affected men may notice that their urine appears unusually cloudy, dark or red in color. Certain men may also notice the appearance of blood in the semen or ejaculate. Patients who develop these warning symptoms of prostate cancer should contact a doctor for further evaluation and care.
Back or Hip Pain
Prostate inflammation caused by the presence of cancer cells can lead to sensations of pain within the lower body. Affected men can develop mild to moderate pain within the lower back, hips or upper thighs, explain medical professionals at the Fallon Clinic in Worcester, Massachusetts. These early symptoms of prostate cancer can occur sporadically, but can become worse as prostate cancer progresses. Men who experience chronic back or hip pain should discuss these symptoms with a physician as soon as possible.
Erection Difficulties
Certain men can experience difficulty achieving an erection as a warning symptom of prostate cancer. If these symptoms develop, affected men should seek further care from a doctor.
