Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in a man's prostate gland. It occurs when cells of the prostate mutate and begin to multiply out of control. Prostate cancer is common in men older than 65. It usually grows slowly and can take years to grow large enough to cause any problems. Most cases are treatable, because they are found with screening tests before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Knowing what are the symptoms of prostate cancer is important because it helps reduce risks.

Most men do not know they even have prostate cancer because it usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urinating, problems during sexual intercourse, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms. However those symptoms are present only in an advanced stage of the disease. Here are the main symptoms and if you have one or more of these symptoms then you should see the doctor just in case.

- Having a weaker than normal urine stream
- Having trouble starting your urine stream
- Having to urinate very often
- Having to get up at night to urinate
- Feeling that your bladder is not completely empty when you urinate
- Having burning or pain when you urinate
- Unable to urinate at all

Advanced prostate cancer can spread to other parts of the body and this may cause additional symptoms. The most common symptom is bone pain, often in the vertebrae (bones of the spine), pelvis or ribs. Prostate cancer in the spine can also compress the spinal cord, causing leg weakness and urinary and fecal incontinence.

Experts don't know what causes prostate cancer, but they believe that your age, genetics, and race affect your chances of getting it. What you eat, such as foods high in fats, may also play a part.