Prostate Cancer Symptoms by Stages in Older Men

Learn Prostate Cancer Symptoms by Stages in Older Men and under 50 like Fever, Back Pain, Constipation, Weight Loss, Fatigue, Bleeding and Urination difficulty.

Get to know Prostate Cancer Symptoms by Stages in Older Men as the earlier the cancer is detected, the better the chance to cure it. Although there are some things that can be done in the effort of preventing prostate cancer, there is nothing wrong with knowing the early prostate cancer symptoms in order to get suspicious to detect the cancer early.

Cancer is an abnormal growth of specific cells, first only growing in one part of the body, but it can then spread to other parts of the body. The name of a cancer is usually based on the part of the body where the cancer is located. Therefore, prostate cancer is a cancer, or an abnormal cell growth, in prostate gland.

Prostate gland is a gland specific to men. Prostate gland is part of the male reproductive organs that is located around urethra under the bladder. The function of prostate gland is to produce liquid that is part of the semen that gives nutrition and protection to the sperm. The reproductive function of prostate gland and its location near the urinary system cause prostate cancer symptoms by stages usually appear in the form of sexual and/or urinary problems.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms by Stages in Older Men

Before more are discussed about prostate cancer symptoms by stages, let’s discuss about prostate cancer prevention efforts and risk factors first. There are some medicines and substances that seem to be effective against prostate cancer although further studies on them are still being conducted.

Prostate Cancer Riskt Factors

One of the risk factors of prostate cancer is age. Once a man starts to be 40, it is wise to also start being cautious of the symptoms related to prostate cancer although most cases of prostate cancer symptoms in men appears at age around 65 years and above.

A man with prostate cancer history in his family should also be more cautious of prostate cancer symptoms by stages, especially if more male family members have already been known developing prostate cancer especially since young ages.

Diets and lifestyle also have some influences in preventing prostate cancer. Reduce the consumption of red meats and fatty food and increase the intake of vegetables and fruit to have more chance in preventing prostate cancer.

Conditions with Similar Symptoms like Prostate Cancer

Although prostate cancer symptoms by stages may appear, it is not necessarily certain that the diagnosis will be prostate cancer. The symptoms of prostate cancer might be similar to the symptoms of other non cancerous conditions of prostate such as:

  • Prostatitis (infection on the prostate gland).
  • Urethritis (infection on the urethra).
  • Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH; enlarged prostate gland).

Prostate Cancer Symptoms by Stages in Older Men

Prostate cancer symptoms in older men are more prominent than in men under 50. Generaly, there are following prostate cancer symptoms by stages:

  • Difficulties in controlling urination: starting or stopping the stream, urinate when coughing or laughing
  • Increased frequency of going to the restroom to pass urine (especially at night)
  • Can only pass little, weak, even interrupted, urine stream
  • Unable to pass urine when standing (have to sit to urinate)
  • Pain when urinate and/or ejaculate
  • The existence of blood in urine and/or semen
  • Feeling that the bladder is still full even after urinating
  • Erectile dysfunction (unable to get or keep an erection)
  • Soreness that develops into pain in the lower parts of the body (lower back pain, thighs pain, hips pain)
  • One of the common prostate cancer symptoms is back pain
  • Significant weight loss is also one of the prostate cancer symptoms
  • Unusual fatigue and breathlessness when doing physical work
  • In some patients prostate cancer symptoms also includes constipation
  • late stages prostate cancer symptoms includes fever too

Prostate cancer symptoms by stages are very related to the size of the cancer. When it is still small, there is little, even no, disturbance in urinating or sexual activities. When the cancer is getting bigger, it starts to press on the bladder and urethra, causing the above mentioned prostate cancer sign and symptoms. The higher the prostate cancer stages, the more palpable the symptoms are.

Prostate Cancer Stages

Generally, there are 4 stages of prostate cancer development:

  1. Prostate Cancer Stage 1 Symptoms

    Stage 1 prostate cancer is when the cancer first developed. In stage 1, the cancer is still small, and it grows very slowly. There are no obvious symptoms at this stage, and there is a nearly 100% chance of total recovery.

  2. Prostate Cancer Stage 2 Symptoms

    In stage 2, mild symptoms may appear. In this stage, although the cancer is still only in prostate, it grows faster than in the first stage. However, the chance of total recovery in stage 2 is almost as high as in stage 1.

  3. Prostate Cancer Stage 3 Symptoms

    In the next stage, stage 3, the symptoms, such as difficulties in controlling urination, erectile dysfunction, soreness or pain in hips or thighs, clearly appear. This is because in stage 3 the prostate cancer has grown big enough to press on the bladder and urethra. In stage 3, the cancer may have grown to nearby areas but it has not spread to other further parts of the body. The chance of total recovery in this stage is still high.

  4. Prostate Cancer Stage 4 Symptoms

    The next and last stage is stage 4. In this stage, all of the symptoms may be present, including weight loss, fatigue, and pain in the lower parts of the body. In this stage, the cancer is no longer only in prostate gland and the surrounding areas. In stage 4, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Metastatic prostate cancer symptoms start to appear at this stage. The chance of recovery in this stage depends on how far the cancer has spread.

Finasteride and dutasteride are two drugs that have shown some results in preventing prostate cancer although it is wise to consult professional doctors about the use of these drugs to prevent prostate cancer. Green tea has also shown some promising results in preventing prostate cancer, and further studies on the properties of green tea that seem to be able to prevent prostate cancer are being conducted.

Paying attention to the appearance of prostate cancer symptoms by stages is important. However, do not jump to prostate cancer conclusion when the symptoms seem to appear. Go to the doctor as soon as possible, even consult another doctor for a second opinion, for a definite diagnosis. Furthermore, the earlier prostate cancer symptoms by stages appear and are detected, the better the chance to fully recovered from the cancer. Be sensitive on the changes in your body, and know and detect prostate cancer symptoms by stages when they start to appear.

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