Men often ask, “What are the early symptoms of prostate cancer that I should look out for?” This is a perfectly logical question. As with many forms of cancer, early detection of prostate cancer can make the difference between successful and unsuccessful treatment.
Symptoms of prostate cancer typically include a variety of urinary problems — difficulty urinating, feeling the urge to urinate often, painful urination and the like. These might be early symptoms of prostate cancer but they could also be signs of benign prostate hyperplasia, or BPH. The symptoms for both conditions are similar, so you should always take these types of symptoms seriously and see your doctor about them.
Detecting Prostate Cancer Before Symptoms Appear
Here’s something about prostate cancer symptoms that not many people realize. It can be detected before the symptoms listed above even show up. This is why it’s so important for men to have prostate screening on a regular basis as part of their physical, once over the age of 45. Most men who get this form of cancer (70%) are over the age of 65, but doctors recommend screening for men over the age of 45.
So you shouldn’t rely on the early symptoms of prostate cancer as an indicator of the condition. You can be proactive through regular screening for the cancer, even when there are no symptoms. The earlier it is detected, the greater the chance of a successful treatment.