Prostate Screening

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

Most cases of early prostate cancer cause no symptoms and are found by a PSA blood test and/or a DRE. Some prostate cancers are found because of symptoms such as slowing or weakening of the urine stream, painful or burning urination, difficulty starting urination or holding back urine, or the need to urinate more often, especially at night. These symptoms, however, can also be caused by benign diseases of the prostate, especially an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Symptoms of advanced prostate cancer include blood in the urine or semen, difficulty getting an erection, and pain in the pelvis, spine, hips, or ribs. These symptoms may also be present with other diseases. Only a doctor can tell what is causing them. A man who has symptoms such as these should see his family doctor or a urologist, a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the urinary system. Do not wait to feel pain; early prostate cancer does not cause pain.