Okay, so you can’t give yourself a prostate exam at home. But there are important early symptoms of prostate cancer you can catch, and this can make all the difference to your treatment and recovery.
Prostate cancer doesn’t typically show signs in the early stages, and has to be caught via a PSA blood test or a digital rectal exam.
However, there are sometimes warning signs that involve the urinary system. Watch for these symptoms:
A frequent need to urinate, especially at night, sometimes urgently
Difficulty with starting or holding back urination
Weak, dribbling, or interrupted urine flow
Painful or burning urination
Erectile dysfunction
A decrease in the amount of ejaculated fluid
Painful ejaculation
Blood in the urine or semen
Pressure or pain in the rectum
Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs
It’s important to understand that urinary symptoms don’t necessarily mean you have cancer. Prostatitis or Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), also known as enlargement of the prostate, are very common and benign diseases that can cause similar symptoms.
And erectile dysfunction is likely not caused by cancer but by other factors like diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular disease, or just plain getting older.
Have Any of These Symptoms? Visit Norman Urology
There’s no sense in worrying needlessly – come see us at Norman Urology. We take urological care seriously for both men and women. Whether you have a benign condition or something more serious, you can count on superior, specialized care from experienced, compassionate professionals.
Reach out to us today to schedule an appointment. We can’t wait to meet you.