What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is often slowly growing. There may be no symptoms at first, even for years. As the tumour grows, it may press on and 'irritate' the urethra, or cause a partial blockage to the flow of urine. Symptoms may then develop and can include one or more of the following.
- Poor stream. The flow of urine is weaker, and it takes longer to empty your bladder.
- Hesitancy. You may have to wait at the toilet for a while before urine starts to flow.
- Dribbling. A bit more urine may trickle out and stain your underpants soon after you finish at the toilet.
- Frequency. You may pass urine more often than normal.
- Urgency. You may have to get to the toilet quickly.
- Poor Emptying. You may have a feeling of not quite emptying your bladder.
Note: all the above symptoms are common in older men. Most men who develop the above symptoms do not have prostate cancer but have a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate. However, it is best to get any new symptoms checked out by a doctor.
Other symptoms such as pain at the base of the penis or passing blood occasionally occur. (These do not occur with benign prostate enlargement.)
If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, various other symptoms can develop. The most common site for the cancer to spread is to one or more bones, especially the pelvis, lower spine and hips. Affected bones can become painful and tender. Sometimes the first symptoms to develop are from secondary tumours in bones.
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