Prostate cancer symptoms usually don’t appear until the cancerous growth is large enough to put pressure on the urine-carrying tube.
Signs of this cancer, the most common in men, include difficulty starting to urinate or emptying the bladder, a weak urine flow or feeling as though the bladder hasn’t emptied properly, according to charity Prostate Cancer UK.
Dribbling urine, needing to use the toilet more often and a sudden urge to urinate, “you may sometimes leak before you get to the toilet”, are other signs of the cancer.
“Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms,” said the charity.
“One reason for this is the way the cancer grows. Because the cancer usually starts to grow in a different part of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesn’t often press on the urine tube and cause symptoms.”
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Diagnosis of the cancer is possible through one of the available tests.
The NHS advised that someone with symptoms of the cancer should visit their GP.
“There’s no single, definitive test for prostate cancer,” said the NHS online, “Your GP will discuss the pros and cons of the various tests with you to try to avoid unnecessary anxiety.”
Possible tests to check for prostate cancer include a urine sample screening, digital rectal examination, where a gloved finger is inserted into the bottom to check the prostate, and the prostate-specific antigen test, also called the PSA test.
“Your GP will assess your risk of having prostate cancer based on a number of factors, including your PSA levels and the results of your prostate examination, as well as your age, family history and ethnic group.”
The PSA test measures the level of a particular antigen in the blood, made only by the prostate gland.
“PSA is a protein produced by normal cells in the prostate and also by prostate cancer cells,” said Prostate Cancer UK online.
“It’s normal to have a small amount of PSA in your blood, and the amount rises as you get older and your prostate gets bigger.
“A raised PSA level may suggest you have a problem with your prostate, but not necessarily cancer.”
Symptoms of prostate cancer can also be caused by a “very common non-cancerous” condition known as enlarged prostate.
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.
It is a gland at the neck of the bladder which releases a fluid into the semen to help with reproduction.
The causes of prostate cancer are unclear but being overweight, having a bad diet and having an age over 50 can increase the risk of the cancer developing.
“Recent research suggests there may be a link between obesity and prostate cancer, and a balanced diet and regular exercise may lower your risk of developing prostate cancer,” said the NHS.
“Research is ongoing into the links between diet and prostate cancer, and there is some evidence that a diet high in calcium is linked to an increased risk of developing prostate cancer.”