1. Don't Rely on Urinary Problems for Detecting Prostate Cancer
Because prostate cancer rarely causes any symptoms during the early stages, detecting prostate cancer on your own is unlikely. Situated between the pubic bone and rectum in men, the prostate gland also lies under the bladder and wraps itself around the urethra, a tube that carries urine out of the body through the penis. While urinary difficulties can be a symptom in a small percentage of men, it is more likely that these symptoms indicate an enlarged prostate or an infection. Regardless, if you have difficulty urinating, starting or stopping, or a weakened stream, it's time to see the doctor. The same is true if your urine or semen has blood in it.
2. Signs of Advanced Prostate Cancer
The symptoms of prostate cancer change as the disease advances. If prostate cancer is present and has spread to surrounding lymph nodes, you may feel discomfort in and around your pelvis. Your legs may swell, as well. Advanced prostate cancer can spread to the bones. The symptoms may include pain in your bones, fractures or spinal compression. You should see your doctor if you have any of these signs.
3. Routine Prostate Cancer Screening Safest Route
The American Cancer Society recommends annual prostate cancer screening beginning at age 50. Men with a family history of prostate cancer and African Americans should probably start earlier. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is a blood test. However, other conditions, such as infections and an enlarged prostate, can cause elevated levels of PSA. The digital rectal exam allows the doctor to feel the prostate and doesn't take long.
4. A Closer Look
A computerized tomography (CT) scan helps a radiologist to see abnormalities, such as enlarged lymph nodes. However, he will not be able to determine whether the abnormalities are due to prostate cancer. As such, this test is better in combination with other tests. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test produces more evidence that cancer is present in either the bones or the lymph nodes.
5. Further Investigation: Biopsy of Lymph Nodes
A lymph node biopsy may be necessary if a CT scan or an MRI reveals evidence of enlarged lymph nodes. If prostate cancer has spread, the biopsy can tell doctors with certainty if it is present in nearby lymph nodes. A surgeon will remove some nodes that are closest to the prostate and examine them under a microscope.
