Prostate Cancer: Symptoms

In its early stages, prostate cancer doesn’t usually cause any symptoms. The only way to know you have it is through a screening test. This is one of the advantages to following screening guidelines. As with any cancer, the earlier it’s found the sooner you can discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.

13 warning signs to watch for

As prostate cancer progresses, some people have symptoms. But others don’t. Some symptoms may be a sign that the cancer is growing larger or has spread outside the prostate. If that happens, you may need more extensive treatment.

Possible symptoms include:

1. A frequent need to pee, especially at night

2. Trouble starting to pee

3. Weak or interrupted pee flow

4. Trouble fully emptying the bladder

5. Not being able to pee at all

6. Accidental peeing

7. Unable to control bowels

8. Painful or burning feeling when you pee

9. Blood in your pee or semen

10. Pain or stiffness in your low back, hips, ribs, upper thighs, or other bones that doesn't go away

11. Trouble getting or keeping an erection

12. Weakness or numbness in legs or feet

13. Unexplained weight loss

When to see your healthcare provider

Having 1 or more of these symptoms doesn’t automatically mean you have prostate cancer, or that existing prostate cancer is getting worse. Other health conditions may cause the same symptoms and may not be related to cancer.

But you should not ignore any of these symptoms. So if you do notice 1 or more, contact your healthcare provider as soon as you can. Only a healthcare provider can tell if you have cancer.