Tuesday, March 17, 2009
By Thomas Parker
Prostate cancer affects around 35,000 males each year and mainly affects older men. Whilst it may not always be possible to identify the signs of prostate cancer there are a few things you should look out for. In this article I will be discussing three of the potential prostate cancer symptoms.
Around 35,000 men contract prostate cancer each year with the majority of diagnoses being in men aged 50 and over. It develops when the normal process of cell division goes wrong and the prostate cells start to multiply in a rapid and uncontrollable way. No one knows exactly what causes this to happen but age, family history, diet and ethnicity are all thought to have an influence. When a prostate tumour does develop it often presses against the urethra (the vessel that your body uses to excrete urine) leading to a number of unpleasant symptoms. In this article I will be discussing three of these potential prostate cancer symptoms.
1) BLOOD IN THE URINE:- As the prostate tumour presses against the urethra it may cause damage which results in bleeding. This blood can then come out in the urine. Any internal bleeding should not be ignored. If you notice any blood in the urine then you should go and see your doctor immediately. Even if the bleeding is not being caused by prostate cancer it is a very strong indicator that something is not right. Your doctor will be able to perform the necessary tests and determine the cause of any bleeding.
2) DIFFICULTY WHEN URINATING:- When the prostate tumour pushes against the urethra this often causes the vessel to squash together. This can restrict the flow of urine through the urethra and make it quite difficult to urinate. Problems can include difficulty starting the flow of urine, starting and stopping whilst urinating and a feeling of urgency when the need to urinate arises. If you notice any of the above problems or have any other difficulty urinating you should go see your doctor right away. There are many possible reasons that you may experience difficulty urinating but your doctor will be able to let you know whether any of the problems you are experiencing are related to prostate cancer.
3) PAIN IN THE LOWER BACK, HIPS AND GROIN:- Since the prostate is located around the lower back, hips and groin it can cause pain in these areas as it grows larger and larger. It can also cause pain in the groin when urinating. Although pain in these areas does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer you should still go see your doctor and get it checked out. Unexplained pain is a sign that something is wrong and your doctor will be able to let you know why you are experiencing it.
I hope this article has given you an insight in to the potential prostate cancer symptoms. Whilst the above problems are not necessarily a sign that you have cancer they do indicate that something is not quite right. Your doctor will be able to tell you the reason behind the above symptoms and put you on a relevant treatment plan.
Whilst every intention has been made to make this article accurate and informative, it is intended for general information only. Prostate cancer is a very serious, life threatening condition and you should discuss any concerns, treatments or lifestyle changes fully with your doctor.
Tom Parker owns and operates a number of useful fitness resources and websites. You can learn more about the symptoms of prostate cancer and how improving your fitness can help you prevent cancer by visiting his Free Fitness Tips Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Thomas_Parker
