Health Desk. Prostate cancer is one of the major cancers in men. Many times, its obvious symptoms are not visible in the initial stages, but as the disease progresses, many problems related to urination may appear. It is not right to postpone such changes for a long time considering them as a normal effect of age. However, the symptoms mentioned below do not occur only in prostate cancer, hence one should not draw conclusions about the disease on their basis.
1. Problem of frequent urination
If you start urinating more often than usual, especially at night, you have to get up again and again, then it should not be ignored. Changes in the prostate can put pressure on the bladder and affect urination habits.
2. Difficulty in starting urination
If you have to strain to urinate, it takes time to start urinating, or the stream becomes weaker than before, then it could be a sign of a prostate-related problem. If such problems persist, it is better to get checked by a doctor.
3. Seeing blood in urine
If the color of urine appears red or pink or if blood is visible in it, it should be taken seriously. There can be many different reasons behind this, including infection and other urinary problems. Medical examination is necessary to know the exact reason.
4. Pain and blood in urine or semen
In some cases there may be pain or burning while urinating. At the same time, seeing blood in semen is also a symptom requiring investigation. Cancer is not the cause every time, but if it happens again and again, it is important to consult a specialist.
5. Persistent pain in waist, hip or bones
Some men in advanced stages of prostate cancer may complain of persistent pain in the waist, hip or bones. In particular, prolonged pain without any apparent cause may be a reason for investigation.
When to get tested?
If there is a persistent change in urination habit, blood in the urine, pain or other unusual symptoms, a urologist or doctor should be contacted. The doctor may recommend a PSA blood test, physical examination, and other tests as needed.