Published Oct 12, 2024
The 5 most common warning signs of prostate cancer include urinary changes, blood in urine or semen, unexplained pain, erectile dysfunction, and weakness or numbness in the lower body. These early signs of prostate cancer are often subtle and easy to miss, which is why routine screening and awareness are critical, especially for men at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Early detection expands the range of natural prostate cancer treatment options available, including those that focus on supporting overall health.
We’ll take a closer look at the warning signs in this article, but as an overview, these prostate cancer symptoms typically involve the urinary system.
Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer
Many men are surprised to learn that early-stage prostate cancer often causes few or no noticeable symptoms. In fact, prostate cancer is slow-growing in many cases, and symptoms in its early stages may be mild or mistaken for normal aging or a benign prostate condition.
It’s important to understand the warning signs of prostate cancer so that it can be caught early. Most early prostate cancers don’t show symptoms and are found through blood tests (PSA) or digital rectal exams (DRE). But understanding what a prostate cancer symptom may look like is important.
Here are five early signs of prostate cancer you should watch out for:
1. Issues with Urinating
When it comes to prostate warning signs, the urinary system is one of the main parts of the body to keep an eye on. If you’re having any issues with urination, this could be a sign that something is not quite right with the prostate. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, we suggest speaking to your doctor:
- Frequent urination
- Urinary incontinence
- Weak or interrupted urine flow
- Urge to frequently urinate at night
- Pain or burning during urination
2. Blood in Semen or Urine
Blood in both urine and seminal fluid is key to look for. As a tumor develops in the prostate gland, it can grow, pressing on the urethra, surrounding glands, and blood vessels. As this happens 2, structures can become irritated (or blocked), leading to bloody urine or semen. Blood in the semen or urine can also happen as a result of common prostate cancer treatment options.
The presence of blood is often due to the tumor causing irritation or damage to the blood vessels. This can occur as the tumor grows larger and begins to invade areas close to the prostate, disrupting the normal function of the urinary and reproductive systems.
While not always caused by prostate cancer, this symptom requires immediate medical attention. Consulting a healthcare provider for appropriate screenings can help determine the cause and provide timely intervention if necessary.
3. Bodily Pain and Discomfort
An enlarged prostate can lead to discomfort, particularly when sitting down. This pain is often due to the pressure the growing tumor places on nearby nerves and tissues. As the cancer progresses, it may spread beyond the prostate to other parts of the body, such as the lower back, hips, or pelvis, causing pain in these areas.
The further the cancer spreads, the more widespread and intense the pain can become. This means you need medical attention as soon as possible. Regular physical activity and a healthy diet may help reduce the risk of cancer progression.
4. Erectile Dysfunction
Another one of the signs and symptoms to look out for when it comes to prostate cancer is erectile dysfunction. If there is a new onset of erectile dysfunction, it’s especially important to talk to your healthcare provider. Although erectile dysfunction can be caused by things other than prostate cancer, it is one of the symptoms that can be easily monitored at home.
As the prostate becomes enlarged, it can affect the nerves and blood vessels responsible for maintaining an erection. Tumors within the prostate may disrupt the normal blood flow needed for an erection, leading to difficulties.
This dysfunction is often due to the tumor’s impact on the structures involved in sexual function, including the nearby nerves and blood vessels. As the cancer progresses, it can cause more significant interference with these systems, leading to ongoing problems with erectile function.
5. Weakness or Numbness
One of the major risk factors of prostate cancer is weakness or numbness in the feet or legs. This happens when the cancer spreads and begins to press on the spinal cord. When the tumor compresses nerves in the spinal area, it can disrupt the normal signaling between the brain and lower body, resulting in weakness or numbness.
This symptom indicates that the cancer has moved beyond the prostate, affecting the nervous system. The pressure on the spinal cord can also lead to additional complications, such as a loss of bladder or bowel control, as the cancer interferes with these critical functions. If these symptoms arise, immediate medical intervention is necessary, as they indicate that the cancer may have metastasized.
Why Early Symptoms Are Often Missed
Prostate cancer usually develops slowly, and early symptoms often overlap with non-cancerous conditions such as an enlarged prostate or urinary tract issues. Because prostate cancer usually does not cause pain at first, many men delay seeking care.
Additionally, some men assume symptoms are a normal part of aging, which can allow cancer growth to continue unnoticed until the disease progresses or spreads to other parts of the body.
PSA Levels
Prostate-specific Antigen (PSA) levels are another warning sign of prostate cancer, though analyzing these levels is done by your doctor through a PSA test. Because early prostate cancers don’t show symptoms, most prostate cancers 4 are found through a PSA blood test (PSA) or digital rectal exam (DRE).
How Do PSA Tests Work?
The PSA test 5 calculates the level of PSA in the blood. This is a type of protein that’s made by both healthy and cancer cells within the prostate. While most PSA is found in semen, small amounts are present in the blood.
After the blood sample has been sent to a laboratory, the results usually come back in a measurement of nanograms of PSA per milliliter (ng/mL) of blood. In men who have prostate cancer, the blood level of PSA is often higher. Several non-cancerous conditions can cause the PSA level to rise, such as prostatitis, which is inflammation of the prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which entails an enlarged prostate. Although the evidence doesn’t show that these two conditions lead to prostate cancer, a man can have them and still develop prostate cancer later.
When Should You Get a PSA Test?
PSA levels can fluctuate over time in the same man, and there is no specific level of PSA in the blood that is considered normal or abnormal. In the past, doctors thought levels of 4.0 ng/mL and below to be normal, and would recommend a prostate biopsy for men whose PSA level was above this. However, recent studies have shown that some men with PSA levels below 4.0 ng/mL have prostate cancer, and some with PSA levels above 4.0 ng/mL do not have prostate cancer.
If you’ve noticed any of these symptoms, you may be at risk of having prostate cancer. It is essential to contact your health care professional so they can determine if you should get a prostate cancer screening.
Keep in mind that some men with prostate cancer will not show any symptoms, which is why we recommend getting checked regularly through a rectal exam. Alternatively, other non-cancerous conditions of the prostate can share similar symptoms. If you’re experiencing urinary symptoms, this can also be the cause of a bladder infection.
Remember, diseases and cancers are different for everyone. If there is the slightest chance you are asking yourself: is prostate cancer hereditary in my family? You might want to be more aware of these signs and symptoms.
Upon diagnosis, you falls into one of four stages of prostate cancer based on three factors. These factors include tumor size and location, the number of lymph nodes involved, metastasis, or how far the cancer has spread.
Recurrent Symptoms
When prostate cancer returns after treatment, it is referred to as recurrent 6. It is known as a local recurrence when the cancer returns to the area around the prostate. It’s considered metastatic prostate cancer if it’s found in other parts of the body. When cancer has grown beyond the prostate, it often spreads and develops in the nearby lymph nodes and then spreads to the liver, bones, and lungs. When the cancer is recurrent, the first symptom may be a rise in PSA levels, as mentioned above.
Depending on where the cancer has spread, other prostate cancer signs and symptoms might include difficulty urinating and blood in the urine. There might be lower back pain, feelings of fatigue, and difficulty breathing. Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, is another symptom.
Advanced Symptoms
If the cancer has extended beyond the prostate gland, men may experience advanced prostate cancer symptoms 7 like pain in the hips, thighs, back, shoulders, or other bones. There might be swelling or a buildup of fluid in the feet or legs, random weight loss, fatigue, or change in bowel habits. There may be bone pain that doesn’t go away or that leads to fractures.
Causes and Risk Factors of Prostate Cancer
It isn’t clear as to why cells in the prostate mutate and multiply. However, based on studies, there are a handful of risk factors that might lead men to develop prostate cancer. These include age, race, genetic history, and obesity.
- Age: As age increases, the risk of prostate cancer is greater.
- Race: As a common occurrence across many cancers, African-American men have an increased risk of prostate cancer compared to men of other races. They also have a greater chance of having aggressive prostate cancer.
- Genetic History: If prostate cancer has affected any of the men in your family or breast cancer has affected the women, your likelihood of developing it is greater.
- Obesity: Mostly, every form of cancer has a link between unhealthy weight and cancer. Obese patients usually have a greater risk of having more aggressive prostate cancer.
When to See a Doctor and the Importance of Screening
You should talk to a doctor if you notice any signs to watch, such as persistent urinary changes, blood in urine or semen, or unexplained pain. Even without symptoms, regular screening is essential.
Screening may include:
- A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test
- Digital rectal exam (DRE)
- Follow-up imaging or a prostate biopsy if needed
According to the American Cancer Society, early detection significantly improves outcomes, and prostate cancer is highly treatable when found early. Men with a family history of prostate cancer, African American men, or those with other prostate cancer risk factors should discuss screening earlier with their doctor.
The Next Steps in Prostate Health
Now that we’ve covered what the five prostate cancer warning signs are, along with a variety of other information, you might be curious about the next steps and the ways to prevent prostate cancer. As a common cancer, it’s important to understand what needs to be done for prostate health, such as therapies and clinical trials.
Supportive and Holistic Options at Immunity Therapy Center
At Immunity Therapy Center, we offer alternative therapies and natural cancer treatment designed to complement medical care and not replace it. Our approach focuses on prostate health, immune support, and overall wellness for men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
These therapies may help:
- Support the immune system’s ability to fight cancer through therapies such as immunotherapy cancer treatment
- Reduce inflammation and treatment-related stress
- Improve quality of life during prostate cancer treatment
Staying Informed
Prostate cancer is a serious condition, but early detection and personalized care can make a significant difference in outcomes. By staying informed about the early warning signs of a prostate problem, understanding your treatment options, and considering holistic approaches to cancer care, you can take more control of your prostate health.
At Immunity Therapy Center, we’re passionate about what we do and dedicated to providing attentive, individualized care to every patient. If you’re interested in learning more or hearing about your options for advanced natural prostate cancer treatment, reach out to us today. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you heal in body, mind, and spirit.
Written By: Dr. Adolfo Carrillo
Dr. Adolfo Carrillo is a Board Certified Medical Doctor from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Dr. Carrillo has been collaborating with Dr. Bautista for over 5 years as a treating physician at the Immunity the Immunity Therapy Center. Dr. Carrillo is a charismatic Doctor whose knowledge and commitment to patient care and bringing healing to patients is a valuable asset to our center.
Sources:
- Cancer.org. Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
- Prostate Cancer. Is Blood in the Urine or Semen a Sign of Prostate Cancer?. https://prostatecancer.net/symptoms/blood-urine-semen/
- Mofffit Cancer Center. What Are the Five Symptoms of Prostate Cancer?. https://moffitt.org/cancers/prostate-cancer/faqs/what-are-the-five-warning-signs-of-prostate-cancer/
- American Cancer Society. Tests to Diagnose and Stage Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/how-diagnosed.html
- National Cancer Institute. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test. https://www.cancer.gov/types/prostate/psa-fact-sheet
- Zero Prostate Cancer. Prostate Cancer Recurrence. https://zerocancer.org/learn/survivors/recurrence/
- American Cancer Society. Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer. https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/symptoms-and-signs
