Symptoms and risk factors of prostate cancer
Symptoms of prostate problems
These symptoms do not always mean you have prostate cancer and are usually caused by benign disease. So do not worry if you have any of these symptoms, but do go to your doctor to have them checked as there are treatments that can help to reduce or eradicate these symptoms.
- Difficulty or pain in passing urine
- Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine
- Frequent visits to the toilet, especially at night
- Starting and stopping while urinating
- Dribbling urine
- A feeling of not having emptied the bladder fully
Sometimes, the following things can also be symptoms of prostate cancer.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Back pain, pelvis pain, or hip pain.
- Difficulty getting or keeping an erection.
- Unexplained weight loss.
It is important to note that prostate cancer often has no symptoms.
Risk factors of prostate cancer
- Age The risk of developing prostate cancer increases as you get older and most cases are diagnosed in men over the age of 50.
- Race/ethnicity Black men over 45 have an increased risk of prostate cancer.
- Family history You’re much more likely to have prostate cancer if your father or brother has had it, especially if they were under 60. Research shows that having a close relative with breast cancer may also increase your risk.
- Lifestyle factors There is some evidence that obesity and diet has an effect.
