BLOOD
Blood present in Ejaculate or urination is not normal. Seeing this is a sign to go to a GP straight away.
SEX
Erectile Dysfunction (ED) alone usually has other causes; however, when other symptoms are present, it is essential to see a GP.
PAIN
As Prostate Cancer can move, pain can develop in the pelvis, hips, spine, chest.
Norman Schwarzkopf
“I am living proof that if you catch prostate cancer early, it can be reduced to a temporary inconvenience, and you can go back to a normal life.”
Prostate Cancer
A healthy Prostate is slightly larger than a walnut. It surrounds the urethra just below the Urinary Bladder. The function of the Prostate is to store and secrete a clear fluid that constitutes 10-30% of the volume of the Seminal Fluid. Prostate Cancer develops most frequently in men over 50. Most often discovered by physical examination or blood tests, such as the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test. A biopsy will confirm Prostate Cancer.
Early Prostate Cancer often does not cause noticeable symptoms. It is usually diagnosed early during the workup for an elevated PSA, found during a routine check-up. Sometimes, however, Prostate Cancer does cause symptoms that are very similar to those of BPE or Prostatitis, confusing matters. As a result, any new Prostate symptom requires a GP check-up, especially in older men.
NORMAL
There are no Cancer cells present.
PSA RISE
The Cancer is too small to feel and may not cause symptoms. But PSA (blood test) can rise, indicating a need for investigation.
RESTRICTED
The Cancer has grown yet restricted to the Prostate. It has not moved. Symptoms will begin to present.
SPREAD
The Cancer is outside the Prostate but restricted to the immediately connecting tissues (the Prostate capsule and Seminal Vesicles).
LEFT
Cancer has spread beyond the Prostate Capsule and its immediately connected tissues.
GONE
Men can live without a Prostate, but during sex, the production of Ejaculate will no longer happen.
Symptoms of Prostate Cancer include frequent urination, increased urination at night, difficulty in starting (and maintaining) a stream of urine, blood in the urine and painful urination. Due to symptom overlap with benign conditions, it is imperative not to ignore new symptoms as being harmless.
More Scottish men are diagnosed with Prostate Cancer than any other Cancer, making awareness essential.
AGE 50+
AFFECTS 12.5%
JOINTS
As we age, it is common to have Arthritis, but a symptom of Prostate Cancer can be joint pain when combined with urological symptoms.
URINATION
Feeling a weak and slow stream, with urgency and frequency, is usually BPE but should always be discussed with a GP.
TESTING
It is crucial as we age to have our PSA monitored as 1 in 8 men will get Prostate Cancer.
NHS INFORM
Prostate Cancer UK
WIKIPEDIA
