After skin cancer, prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer among males. Nearly 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed each year in the United States alone. It is hard to identify the symptoms of prostate cancer in the initial stages of the disease. The disease has usually spread to other organs by the time it is detected.
However, a male above the age of 50 must keep the following signs in mind to identify the possibility of prostate cancer:
Urinary Obstruction as a Sign of Prostate Cancer
One of the typical characteristics of the disease can be a hampered process of urination. The patient may experience trouble in urination while starting or stopping, or may not be able to pass urine altogether. However, this symptom does not emerge suddenly. Urinary obstruction develops over a period of time. Some patients continue to ignore it until the urine starts retaining in the bladder, and does not pass out at all. It is advisable for anyone experiencing urinary hesitancy to consult a physician promptly, check over here.
Pain During Urination in Prostate Cancer
Sometimes the patient may experience a sharp pain while trying to urinate. In some cases the pain may be only mild but accompanied by a burning sensation in the urinary tract. If such pain or discomfort persists or recurs, it is recommended that the person should get himself examined by a doctor. Normally in such cases the doctor will look for additional signs such as backache, fever and other urinary troubles in order to proceed with further investigation of prostate cancer.
Pain During Sexual Intercourse
Sometimes the person may experience an acute pain during sexual intercourse, or immediately after the act. This pain may be usually confined to the pelvic area. The pain may occur suddenly at any point during the intercourse, or even at the time of erection. Sometimes the pain may persist even beyond the intercourse. If such characteristics are noticed, the person should immediately contact a physician for examination of the prostate.
Sharp Pain in the Lower Back
A severe recurring pain in the lower back region, or tingling or burning sensation in the spinal area may be an indicator of prostate cancer. The lower back supports the bulk of body weight, which makes it vulnerable to pain in case of a problem of the prostate. In some situations, the lower backache may also arise out of other problems such as poor body posture or lifting excess weight, or any superficial injuries of the tissue or muscle. But it is important to rule out the possibility of prostate cancer in case of an inexplicable and persistent pain in the lower back.