What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

 

In it's early stages prostate cancer has no symptoms.  It can grow for years without any warning signs.  When symptoms do finally appear, many of them are the same as those caused by urinary blockage or irritation from benign, non-cancerous diseases, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatitis.

 

The most common symptoms are:

 

• Slow urine stream

• Hesitancy in initiating urination

• Urination more frequently during the day or night

• Strong urges to void

• Problems with sexual function

• Aching pains in the penis, scrotum, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back.

Advanced cancer may result in fatigue, loss of energy, persistent swelling of one or both legs and pain in the back, rib or hip.

 

It however must be emphasized that NONE of these symptoms are found only in cancer, and most commonly are caused by benign, non-cancerous disorders, and most men with prostate cancer have no symptoms whatsoever.