Early prostate cancer is detected through screening tests such as the PSA
blood test and digital rectal exam. There are no symptoms commonly associated
with the early stages
Later Stage symptoms include:
Frequent urination
(especially at night)
Weak urinary stream
Pain or burning during
urination
Blood in the urine
Interruption of urinary
stream
Inability to urinate
Late Stage general symptoms include those as well as significant pain in one
or more bones. This chronic pain occurs most often in the spine, but sometimes
appears in the lower back, hips, upper legs, and/or pelvis. Significant weight
loss may also occur.
A wide array of treatments for prostate cancer have been developed including
surgery, radiation, hormone deprivation therapy, chemotherapy, dietary changes
and the use of various herbal supplements. Deciding which of these treatments
to select is a difficult decision. Prostate cancer is a complex disease that
acts different men in different ways. You will want to weigh the benefits of
each treatment against its possible outcomes, side effects, and risks. The
treatment you choose for prostate cancer should take into account:
the stage and grade of
your cancer
your current health
your feelings about the
side effects associated with each treatment
expected life span and
your age
the chances given to
each treatment as being curative
You may want to get a second opinion about the best treatment option for
your situation, especially if there are several choices available to you.
Is it Preventable?
Being that age, ethnicity, and family history are all risk factors beyond
your control, the best protection a man can offer himself is to take good care
of his body and get regular screenings. The best age to start annual screening
is under debate, but everyone agrees that men between the ages of 50 and 70
should be offered annual screening. Men with a family history of prostate
cancer and all African-American men should consider annual screenings at about
40.