Pre-Symptoms of Prostate Cancer
Moving on from being the eighth most common cancer in males in the 90s to the third rank by 2015, prostate cancer is increasingly becoming common among men, particularly in metros. As seen with other forms of cancer, this is a dangerous disease that is easily treatable if detected early.
Here, let us discuss what may cause prostate cancer, the common warning signs associated with it, and what to do if you suspect that you have it.
What are the Causes?
Put simply, changes in a person’s DNA or genetic code causes prostate cancer. There are two important genes that may play a role in the development of prostate cancer.
- Oncogenes are the ones that help cells grow, divide, and stay alive.
- Tumor suppressor genes on the other hand control cell growth, repair mistakes in our DNA, or trigger cellular death at the right time.
If either gene type undergoes mutation(changes), then it can result in cells growing out of control – eg. Cancer.
In many cases, there are no clear symptoms of prostate cancer in the initial stages. In fact, many men may suffer from prostate cancer without even realizing it. However, there are some warning signs that could signal a person has the condition. The most common one include:
- Pain and/or a burning sensation at the time of urinating or ejaculating.
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
- Trouble urinating once progress.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Blood in either semen or urine.
- Excessive pain-like sensation from the base of the penis to the tip.
Of course, these five symptoms are not the only warning signs, other possible indicators could include unexplained pain in the groin area and weak urine flow. In cases, where cancer has spread beyond the prostate, a man may also experience abnormal urinary or bowel habits, lower body swelling, or sudden weight loss.
Further, it is important to note that these symptoms are not restricted only to prostate cancer and may point towards a different condition that is not life-threating.
Some of the important risk factors for prostate cancer include:
- Age: Prostate cancer is rarely seen in men younger than 40 years of age. In contrast, around sixty percent of prostate cancer cases are in men above 65 years of age.
- Family History: In many cases, the hereditary factor is associated with the emergence of prostate cancer. Men having a father or brother with prostate cancer have a higher chance of developing it themselves.
- Race: African-American men have a higher risk for prostate cancer, whereas Asian Americans and Latino/Hispanic men are less susceptible to the disease.
Other Possible risk factors could include a diet rich in dairy, smoking, and being exposed to harmful chemicals.
If you have one or more of the warning signs for prostate cancer, then it is in your best interest to consult a qualified physician. Your symptoms could be a result of another less serious condition, and even if you do receive a diagnosis of cancer of the prostate, it is much easier to treat the disease if it is detected at an earlier stage.