Prostate cancer develops in the male prostate, typically beginning with prostatic cells multiplying in the gland, eventually spreading and often causing errors in the development of male reproductive organs. The early symptoms of prostate cancer can vary, depending on their seriousness. Luckily, if detected early, this cancer can be treated easily without severe complications; and with early detection and effective treatment with medications such as Xtandi, Relugolix, Erleada, Lupron, and Enzalutamide. With early detection, the chances of living cancer-free are much higher. Here are the common signs of prostate cancer:

1. Blood in urine (hematuria) or semen

A common symptom of prostate cancer is blood appearing when you urinate or for a few minutes after you’ve urinated. This usually occurs when tumors have split the prostate gland, causing it to bleed into the bladder. Hematuria is also common in prostatitis and is caused by inflammation of the gland. As such, when blood appears in your urine, you should undergo a urine test to see if it is cancerous in addition to other treatment. In some cases, blood in semen can be an early sign of cancer, though it could also be caused by prostatitis, an enlarged gland, or a urinary tract infection. Regardless, it should be monitored by blood tests and if you notice blood in your urine or semen, you should see your doctor and have it checked out.

2. Burning or pain during urination

This symptom is common in patients with prostate cancer, and the pains may vary from mild to severe. It can be caused by the tumors squeezing the urethra or pressing down on the bladder. The burning sensation when urinating can also be caused by increased pressure in your abdomen from the tumor. In most cases, doctors will do a transrectal ultrasound to check for any blood circulation in your gland and assess some other symptoms that may suggest a problem.

3. Difficulty urinating

Sudden and significant difficulty in urinating may be a sign of prostate cancer. This symptom is mainly caused by tumors blocking the urine flow from your bladder to the urethra. Other reasons for this symptom could include an enlarged gland, infections, and other urinary tract problems like cystitis and urethritis.

4. Frequent urges to urinate at night

This is a prevalent sign of an enlarged gland, but it could also indicate cancer. Frequent urges to urinate at night are usually caused by a bladder that has been weakened due to the prostate gland swelling and pressing down on it. This may cause you to feel like you have to urinate all the time, but you may find that you only release a small amount of urine instead.

5. Loss of bladder control

A frequent loss of bladder control can be caused by prostatic cancer or an enlarged gland. This can cause a gradual weakening of the muscles that control your urinary sphincter. The weakened urinary sphincter combined with an enlarged gland can result in sudden urine leakage. This can lead to urinary incontinence, which means that you cannot control urine flow.

If you have any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention, as early diagnosis is key to a positive outcome for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is commonly diagnosed with a transrectal ultrasound, and a biopsy of tissue samples may also be needed. It can then be treated either by surgery or radiation therapy. Surgery through radical prostatectomy involves removing the gland, while radiation therapy involves using external beam radiation to kill the cancer cells. Radiation therapy can also help relieve bone pain that results from cancer spreading.