Symptoms & Risk Factors
Symptoms
In the early stages, there are no noticeable symptoms of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer grows slowly, and many people don't have symptoms in early stages. As prostate cancer progresses, the disease can cause:
- Urination problems, such as pain, burning, difficulty stopping or starting, weak flow, and/or increased frequency
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
- Difficulty getting or maintaining erections
- Painful ejaculation
- Loss of appetite or weight
Other conditions, such as infection or prostate enlargement, can also cause these symptoms. If you experience any symptoms, it's important to see your primary care doctor or urologist as soon as possible.
Risk Factors
Race and family history may affect your risk of developing prostate cancer. Your risk of prostate cancer increases if you are:
- 50 or older
- African-American
- Closely related to others who have had the disease (like a father or brother)
- Closely related to several women who have had breast cancer
- A carrier of a BRCA gene (a genetic mutation commonly associated with ovarian and breast cancers)
- Obese
If you have a high risk of prostate cancer, it's important to talk to your primary care doctor or urologist about how frequently you should get screened for the disease. Because there are more treatment options when caught early, regular screening can detect prostate cancer when it is more easily cured.