Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. It can be life threatening if left untreated, but it can also be cured if diagnosed early enough. There are a number of symptoms that can indicate that you may have prostate cancer and if you notice any of these signs, then it’s important to seek medical advice as soon as possible.
Typical Symptoms
Here are some of the symptoms of prostate cancer:
1. Pain or burning during urination
2. Blood in the urine
3. Weakness in the legs
4. Difficulty in starting urination
5. Sudden weight loss
6. Feeling of fullness in the lower abdomen
7. Prostate enlargement
8. A lump or swelling in the groin
9. Difficulty in getting an erection
10. Urinary retention
If you notice any of these symptoms, then you should consult your doctor immediately. If you’re unsure of whether or not you need to see a doctor, then you should consult your family physician. He/she will be able to determine whether or not you need to go to the hospital for further testing.
PSA Diagnosis
There are a number of different ways that doctors diagnose prostate cancer. For example, they may do a digital rectal exam to check for lumps or nodules in the area of the prostate. They may also do a PSA test which measures the amount of a certain protein in the blood. The PSA test can be used to detect cancer and other diseases such as BPH and kidney disease.
Biopsy Diagnosis
If the PSA test comes back high, then it may indicate that you have prostate cancer. However, this test isn’t always accurate because it doesn’t differentiate between benign and malignant conditions. Therefore, you’ll still need to have a biopsy performed. A biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from the affected area and sending it off for testing. This procedure can be done with the help of a local anesthetic.
The results of the biopsy can either confirm or rule out the presence of cancer. If the results come back positive, then the doctor will proceed with surgery. However, if the results are negative, then the doctor will refer you to another specialist who can perform another biopsy.
In doubt, consult your doctor
Prostate cancer is often found in men over 50 years old. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, then you should seek medical advice immediately. You don’t want to wait until you’re already suffering from the effects of prostate cancer because this can lead to complications.