Learn The Signs of Prostate Cancer.

One of the most common issues among older men is prostate cancer. Treatment can be more difficult if it’s not identified early, since it can spread to other organs. The signs of prostate cancer aren’t always easily identifiable. This is why men of a certain age are encouraged to receive regular prostate exams.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that produces semen. It’s located just under the bladder and around the lower part of the urethra, a tube which drains urine out of the bladder. The reason prostate cancer causes problems with urination during prostate cancer is because it blocks off the urethra as it expands the prostate.

Most men actually go through a second stage of prostate development regardless as they age. At this time, cells inside the gland reproduce more rapidly. This normal enlargement of the gland also interrupts normal urine flow. This is called BPH and it affects more and more men as they age.

Many men don’t know nor do they recognize the early signs of prostate cancer. A good number of men view them as aging symptoms and not prostate cancer symptoms. That’s why it’s important to become better informed about the signs of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer tumors can stay in the prostate or spread. It’s really a luck of the draw sort of thing. If the cancer does spread, the new malignancies share the same cell types as the primary tumor, which does make treatment a bit easier.

In terms of the signs of prostate cancer, urinary problems are the earliest and most obvious, but they can also signify the non-cancerous BPH condition. There are actually a number of problems that can be categorized as urination difficulties, including:

• unable to urinate
• pain or burning during urination
• frequent urination at night
• low, weak or spotty flow
• painful ejaculatory deposits
• blood in semen and/or urine
• nagging pain in the hips, thighs and lower back
• hard to start urinating.

Not just signs of normal aging, when these signs of prostate cancer show up in multiples, it’s important to be seen by a doctor. There are generally three main tests used to examine the area. First, there’s the rectal exam, where the doctor will manually examine the prostate gland. A PSA blood test usually comes next, if there are any suspicions. Elevated PSA levels are usually a warning sign of prostate cancer.

If there’s real concern at this point, the doctor may perform an ultrasound or CT scan for a more thorough look. X-rays are also used sometimes. Whether it turns out to be nothing or gets diagnosed as cancer, the sooner you know, the better your chances.