Recognizing Early Signs Leads to Quicker Treatment
When detected early, treatment is more likely to be successful. In this article, we take a closer look at the early signs of prostate cancer and the treatment options available to help keep you informed.
Early Stage Prostate Cancer Symptoms
In the early stages, symptoms are sometimes undetectable. Most often, symptoms that do arise impact the reproductive and urinary systems. Here are the main prostate cancer symptoms you should watch out for.
1. Difficulty Urinating
The prostate sits just below the bladder and wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body. When prostate cancer causes the gland to grow, it can put pressure on the bladder, making it feel full even when there’s not much urine inside. This pressure tricks the body into thinking it needs to empty the bladder more often, even if it’s just a small amount.
If you’re dealing with frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom (a condition called nocturia), it can severely disrupt your sleep and leave you feeling exhausted during the day. While this can also happen due to benign prostate enlargement (BPH) or other conditions, it’s worth paying attention to—especially if you’re noticing other unusual symptoms.
2. Blood in Urine or Semen
Noticing blood in your urine or semen can be alarming, but it’s not always due to prostate cancer. Sometimes, tiny blood vessels in the prostate rupture, causing a pinkish tint or bright red streaks. While this can also happen with infections, kidney stones or other prostate issues, it’s always best to get it checked by a doctor.
3. Pelvic Pain
Prostate cancer can sometimes cause aches or soreness in the lower pelvis, hips or lower back. It might feel like a dull ache, pressure or just a nagging discomfort that won’t go away. While this kind of pain is more common in later stages, it can occasionally show up early—especially if the cancer has started affecting nearby bones or nerves.
4. Erectile Dysfunction (ED)
Prostate cancer can sometimes make it harder to get or keep an erection. This happens when the cancer affects the nerves and blood flow needed for sexual function. Some men notice weaker erections, a drop in sex drive or trouble maintaining an erection during intercourse.
While erectile dysfunction can have many causes (aging, heart health or stress—sudden changes), experiencing it along with urinary issues is a good reason to book a visit with your doctor.
5. Pain During Urination
A burning feeling or discomfort when you pee can be an early sign of prostate cancer, though it’s more often linked to infections like a UTI or prostatitis. If cancer causes irritation or inflammation in the area, it can make urination painful or uncomfortable.
6. Weak Urinary Flow
This may mean difficulty starting urination or a low-pressure flow, or difficulty maintaining a good flow. This happens when the prostate partially blocks the urethra, making it difficult for urine to pass through.
Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer
The type of treatment will be dependent on whether the cancer has spread and what stage of cancer you are diagnosed with. In some cases, such as very early or low-grade prostate cancer, treatment may not be necessary. Instead, your doctors may recommend diligent monitoring with blood tests, biopsies and rectal exams. This will determine how and if the cancer is progressing.
If the cancer progresses or is in later stages, treatment may include:
- Surgery. This typically involves removing the prostate and surrounding tissues.
- Radiation therapy. This may involve five days a week of treatment for many weeks.
- Freezing or heating of the prostate. Freezing or heating the prostate kills the cancer cells, and is usually reserved for smaller prostate cancers or when surgery isn’t possible.
- Hormonal therapies. This can help prevent the cancer from growing. Your doctor may recommend medications to halt testosterone production, medications to block testosterone or, in more severe situations, surgery to remove the testicles (which reduces testosterone levels very quickly).
- Chemotherapy. This is often used when the cancer has spread.
It’s also worth noting that talk therapy can be an essential part of your treatment plan, helping you navigate the mental and emotional side of things. A cancer diagnosis is never easy, but having the right support can make a big difference.
Exact treatments will depend on your particular situation and what your doctor thinks is best. Your treatment may involve one of the treatments above or a combination of them. Discuss your options with your doctor, and if you have any of the signs above, make sure you get checked out before it’s too late.