SYMPTOMS TO WATCH FOR:

Most early prostate cancer causes no symptoms and may be detected by abnormalities in the PSA blood test and DRE (rectal exam of the prostate) evaluations.

However, you need to know that the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

  • Weakening or slowing of your urinary stream
  • Frequent need to urinate
  • Trouble emptying the bladder completely
  • Increased frequency of middle-of-the-night urination
  • Blood in the urine or in the semen
  • Hesitancy in initiating your urinary stream
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Onset of pain in the bones, especially the lower back

Remember that the prostate enlarges with age, and some of the symptoms mentioned above may be due to benign enlargement of the prostate.  However, your urologist should be able to distinguish between the benign and the cancerous aspects of prostate cancer.