Prostate cancer: Dr Hilary outlines signs and symptoms
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There is currently no screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK, so be on the lookout for any warning signs that a tumour has grown large enough to press on the urethra – the tube that carries urine out from the bladder through the tip of the penis. The Prostate Cancer Foundation requests you “contact your doctor” if you experience any of the following signs. Book a doctor’s appointment if you need to “urinate frequently, especially ay night, sometimes urgently”.
It is also worthwhile being checked over by a doctor if you have “difficulty starting or holding back urination”.
Also alert your doctor if you have “weak, dribbling, or interrupted flow of urine”.
Moreover, seek medical advice if urination is painful, or it leaves a “burning” sensation.
Other potential signs of prostate cancer may include:
- Difficulty in having an erection
- A decrease in the amount of fluid ejaculated
- Painful ejaculation
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Pressure or pain in the rectum
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvis, or thighs.
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Prostatitis or an enlarged prostate, which are not cancerous tumours, can also lead to such symptoms.
However, by being checked out by a healthcare professional you can get to the root of the health condition – and treatment can begin, if necessary.
What’s prostatitis?
The NHS explained prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which is located between the bladder and penis.
“[The prostate gland] produces fluid that’s mixed with sperm to create semen,” the NHS noted.
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Prostatitis typically occurs between the ages of 30 to 50; there are two main types:
- Chronic prostatitis
- Acute prostatitis.
Chronic prostatitis is when the symptoms come and go over several months (this is fairly typical).
Meanwhile, acute prostatitis is when the symptoms appear suddenly and they are severe.
While rare, acute prostatitis can be life-threatening and requires immediate treatment.
Acute prostatitis
Pain may be severe in or around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower pain.
Releasing a number two could also be painful, as could urination, which may or may not have blood in it.
“See a GP straight away if you have these symptoms so that the cause can be investigated,” the NHS advised.
Acute prostatitis can be treated with painkillers and up to a four-week course of antibiotics.
What causes acute prostatitis?
The NHS explained: “Acute prostatitis is usually caused when bacteria in the urinary tract enters the prostate.”
An enlarged prostate
Common in men over the age of 50, an enlarged prostate can cause symptoms similar to that of prostate cancer.
The condition, however, is not cancerous, and lifestyle recommendations might be advised to ease symptoms, such as:
- Drinking less alcohol, caffeine and fizzy drinks
- Limiting your intake of artificial sweeteners
- Exercising regularly
- Drinking less in the evening.
Medication might be prescribed to reduce the size of the prostate and to relax the bladder.
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