Early Stage Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Early Stage Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Prostate cancer has a high rate of being cured with early diagnosis. Some of the early symptoms of stage 1 prostate cancer include loss of bladder and bowel control, frequent nighttime urination, painful ejaculation, and more.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Cancer refers to the abnormal growth or division of cells of a certain organ in the body. When the cells of the prostate gland show this behaviour or certain mutations occur in those cells, they sometimes turn into a cancerous tumour (malignant).

Therefore, abnormal division of prostate cells causes prostate cancer. Some tumours that form due to the abnormal division of cells are non-cancerous (benign). So, it becomes necessary to consult a doctor or specialist if a person experiences certain symptoms or urinary problems.

What are the Symptoms of Stage 1 Prostate Cancer?

In the case of prostate cancer, there are usually no direct signs. There can be confusion between early-stage cancer and the natural changes with age. However, certain symptoms might be indicative of prostate cancer.

These symptoms of prostate cancer are as follows:

• Blood in Pee (Hematuria) or Semen (Hematospermia): Hematuria can happen in later stages of prostate cancer due to the enlarged prostate irritating the bladder. Hematospermia can also be a sign of prostate cancer in a few cases.
• Frequent Urinating: The need for urgent and frequent urination, especially during nighttime, can also indicate prostate cancer.
• Trouble Urinating: Issues like problems in starting to pee (hesitancy), taking a long time to pee or straining, weak flow, and/or the feeling of an unemptied bladder can occur.
• Loss of Bladder and/or Bowel Control: Advanced stages of prostate cancer or its treatment can cause changes in the bladder and bowel movement.
• Erectile Dysfunction (ED) and Painful Ejaculation: Erectile dysfunction is not a very assuring symptom of prostate cancer, as it is usually an issue faced by many men. However, it is one of the symptoms of the same, along with painful ejaculation.
• Pain in Lower Hip, Back, or Chest: Deep or dull pain along with stiffness of the lower back, pelvis, upper thighs, or ribs can occur. There can also be pain in the bones in those areas.

What are the Causes of Stage 1 Prostate Cancer?

Experts and researchers have not yet determined exactly what causes prostate cancer. The growth of a cancerous tumour in the prostate usually happens slowly.  These include older age, obesity and a family history of cancer spreading beyond the prostate. Thus, doctors can diagnose them in their early stages and treat them before they spread to other body parts.

However, there are certain risk factors which impact the chances of getting prostate cancer. They are as follows:

• Age: With the growing age of a man, the risk of getting prostate cancer increases as there is more chance of harm to the DNA or genetic material of cells in the prostate.
• Ethnicity and Race: African American men are more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. Researchers have measured the frequency of this group of men getting prostate cancer to be 1 in 6.
• Genetics: People with Lynch syndrome are more susceptible to prostate cancer. Moreover, a person with BRCA1 and BRCA2, the mutated genes associated with a heightened risk of breast cancer, is also more likely to develop prostate cancer.
• Weight: Various researchers have found that men who are overweight in their 50s are more likely to get prostate cancer.
• Family History: A family history of either prostate cancer or breast and ovarian cancer also adds to the risk of getting diagnosed with prostate cancer.
• Smoking tobacco: According to some research, linkage between smoking and prostate cancer has come out however, not all studies agree. Smoking is a significant risk factor for developing aggressive forms of prostate cancer and for dying from the disease. Quitting smoking can improve treatment outcomes and overall health.
   

Medical Complications

In case prostate cancer, complications may include:

• Cancer that spreads: Prostate cancer can spread to the other body parts including bones or other organs. This is called as metastatic prostate cancer if it spreads.
• Erectile Dysfunction: Facing problems in getting erection is called erectile dysfunction which can be caused by the prostate cancer and its treatment.
• Incontinence: Prostate cancer and its related treatment can cause urine leakage, called as urinary incontinence.

How to Manage Early-stage Prostate Cancer Symptoms?

There are several treatments to manage early-stage cancer. These treatment options can include:

• Surgery (Open Radical Prostatectomy or Robotic Radical Prostatectomy)
• Radiation Therapy (Brachytherapy or External Beam Radiation Therapy)

Preventive Measures

There is no fixed way to prevent prostate cancer but you can reduce your risk of prostate cancer by adopting some preventive measures:

• Adhere a healthy diet: Add variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet. Limit the amount of animal fats you eat. In addition, foods that have been linked to lower risk of disease include tomatoes, broccoli, soy, and cauliflower. While no single food can guarantee prevention, a healthy diet is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer in numerous studies.
• Regular Physical Activities: Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of many cancers, including prostate cancer. It helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces inflammation, and improves overall health.
• Weight Management: In case your current weight is healthy, work to keep it up. Choose a healthy diet and exercise most of the weeks.
• Avoid Smoking: Talk to your healthcare professionals regarding what might help you to quit. And in case you do not smoke, do not start.
• Medicines to lower the risk of prostate cancer: For some men at very high risk, drugs like dutasteride and finasteride may be an option to reduce the risk of a low-grade prostate cancer diagnosis. However, this decision is complex due to potential side effects and debates about their impact on high-grade cancer risk. A thorough discussion with a urologist about the benefits and risks is essential.

Stage 1 prostate cancer rarely has any visible symptoms. Some symptoms of prostate cancer in later stages include loss of bladder and bowel control, frequent and troubled urination, painful ejaculation, and more. Therefore, a person must get checked regularly every year to catch the cancer in its early stages.

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