Commonly Missed Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, about one in nine American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, about one in nine American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.
This statistic might sound rather worrisome, but if you're well-informed on the signs and symptoms to watch out for then you're on the right track to maintaining your prostate health and preventing negative developments.
The prostate is a small gland located in the pelvis or rectum of a man. Small growths on the prostate are not uncommon and they can be either benign or malignant - harmless or cancerous. Things like cancer can be especially scary because the causes and symptoms are often very blurry and even unknown. That being said, there are a few factors that can be kept track of in terms of the causes for this mysterious ailment.
While the cause of prostate cancer in some instances can still be somewhat unclear, there are some known risk factors and general causes of the disease, including but not limited to the following:
Today it's a widely known fact that smoking and other tobacco products can cause many different cancers, prostate cancer being no exception. The risk of prostate cancer for heavy smokers is said to be almost double. People who quit smoking tend to show a reduction in risk over the course of ten years.
Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than forty years old. As men age, the prostate's cells become old or damaged which can cause the growth of a tumor on the prostate. Men over the age of fifty-five are the most at risk for this cancer.
Personal diet and lifestyle have an effect on your overall health in many ways, large and small; the development or lack thereof of prostate cancer is just one of them. It's unclear just how to manipulate your diet to prevent prostate cancer, but the risk may be higher if one eats higher amounts of animal fats and processed sugars or not enough fruits and vegetables.
The tricky part about most cancers as well as prostate cancer is that in an early stage, there may be no symptoms at all. Once a malignant growth on the prostate has reached a certain stage, the symptoms can be similar to those displayed by an enlarged prostate or a few other conditions.
Many symptoms of prostate cancer are clearly indicative of a larger health issue, such as:
Unfortunately though, some of the most common signs of cancer in the prostate are much less obvious.
Pain or pressure in the pelvic area while sitting could be caused by the prostate becoming enlarged and thus pressing on other areas of the pelvis. This can be a sign of a few different conditions, but should always warrant discussing with a doctor.
Any significant unintentional weight loss could be a sign of prostate cancer. This could indicate that cancer has moved beyond the prostate and into another part of the body.
Another sneaky sign of prostate cancer is dull or achy pain in the pelvic bones or lower extremities. Experiencing this symptom can indicate that you might have prostate cancer or another condition affecting the prostate.
Usually, when we experience constipation or other stomach upsets we have a general idea of what's caused it. If you experience repeated constipation without reason or cause that you can diagnose, this could be a sign of prostate cancer and would require talking to your doctor.
Constipation or other symptoms caused by cancer in the prostate might also be joined by aching or a feeling of pressure in the rectum.
Multiple different factors can go into causing your legs or feet to get swollen and puffy, such as a long day standing up or water retention. That being said, swollen feet and legs could be a sign of prostate cancer as well. It has been reported that when cancer moves outside the prostate, this could cause swelling or fluid buildup in the legs, ankles, or feet.
Many people may experience a sore lower back for many different reasons like their job, posture, or hobbies. However, if you have never noticed soreness in your lower back before and suddenly do, the cause could be prostate cancer.
Since there are so many different kinds of soreness in the back, it might seem confusing trying to distinguish bad mattress back pain from prostate cancer back pain. It may help to know that lower back pain caused by prostate cancer is said to be deeper and duller than most injured back pain.
According to a scientific study, a decrease in the amount of fluid released during ejaculation could be a symptom of prostate cancer.
However, this occurrence could also be linked to things completely unrelated to prostate cancer, such as:
If you usually drink lots of water and take frequent trips to the restroom, this shouldn't be an issue. However, if you notice a more frequent need to urinate, especially at night, this could be enough to warrant a trip to the doctor for a discussion.
This symptom can also simply be an indicator of an enlarged prostate, which is a benign condition. But it is advisable to check in with a medical professional just to ensure your health.
The new and unexplained onset of erectile dysfunction could be simply that - erectile dysfunction. The treatment of which is not absolutely necessary; ED on its own is not a large health issue. If you have never experienced erectile dysfunction before and it suddenly begins, this could be reason for a doctor's visit.
While there's no truly foolproof way to ensure that one never develops prostate cancer, there are preventative measures that you can take to keep yourself as healthy as possible overall.
Partaking in any lifestyle or actions that are considered to be healthy for the heart will also maintain the health of your prostate. This means regular exercise, a balanced and healthy diet, and regular check-ups to ensure that you don't have any symptoms that you may have missed.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.