Mar 08, 2024
Welcome back to UHC’s House Call on WDTV. Dr. Ali Merhe, urologist at UHC Urology, talks about risk factors of prostate cancer.
1). Are symptoms apparent in the early stages of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages. Most prostate cancers start in the outer part of the prostate gland. This means that to cause symptoms, the cancer needs to be big enough to press on the urethra.
2). What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
If you have any of the following symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away—
- Difficulty starting urination.
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Urinating often, especially at night.
- Trouble emptying the bladder completely.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that doesn’t go away.
- Painful ejaculation.
3). Is there any additional information that you would like to share related to these symptoms?
Yes. Most of the symptoms that I mentioned previously are more likely to be caused by something other than prostate cancer. For example, trouble urinating is much more often caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous growth of the prostate.
Still, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these symptoms so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed. Some men might need additional tests to check for prostate cancer.
This content was originally posted on the WDTV News website here.
Please note, the information provided throughout this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and video, on or available through this website is for general information purposes only. If you are experiencing related symptoms, please visit your doctor or call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
