No one likes to talk about cancer. Prostate cancer may be even more disliked as a topic of general conversation. It’s unpleasant, uncertain and downright scary. However, avoiding the topic doesn’t mean that it doesn’t exist. There are documented cases of it all the time, and if you’re not educated on the signs and symptoms of this type of cancer, you may find yourself putting off an important conversation with your doctor.

Knowledge is power. Knowing that there are some telltale red flags that can point to an early or at least less advanced case of prostate cancer can help you monitor your health and schedule visits to your health care provider when necessary.

10 Signs of Prostate Cancer

In some cases, early prostate cancer presents no symptoms -- a fact that makes it less likely for a patient to be diagnosed and treated in the disease’s earliest stages. However, some symptoms appear at varying stages of the cancer, and understanding those symptoms will enable you to seek appropriate testing and care if you experience any of them.

This list of 10 signs of prostate cancer is intended to inform, educate and warn you about the potential symptoms associated with this dangerous health condition. You should always discuss any health concerns with your doctor immediately.

1. A slow or weak urine stream. If you notice that there are changes in the way you urinate, you may need to speak with your physician. A slow or weak stream can be a sign of prostate cancer and should not be ignored or passed off as unimportant.
2. An increased need to urinate. More frequent urination can signal multiple potential ailments, and prostate cancer is one of them. If you find you’re hitting the john more often than you used to, especially if the number of visits increases at night, ask your doctor for some help in determining why this is happening. It’s always better to rule out a serious condition than to find out about it in later stages.
   

3. Loss of bladder control. You may cough or laugh and find you’ve urinated a bit without being aware it was going to happen. This incontinence can be a sign of prostate cancer.
4. Inability to urinate while standing. If you’ve been forced to sit in order to urinate because it’s impossible to do so while standing, advise your doctor. This is a common sign of prostate cancer and may seem harmless or trivial at first, especially if there is no presence of pain, but it’s an important symptom in some cases, and your doctor should be aware of it.
5. Blood in the urine. Again, there could be other reasons why you see blood when you pee, but it’s always best to know for sure. If you see red in the porcelain bowl, go see your physician.
6. Pain. While many people do seek medical attention for any type of ongoing pain, when you experience pain in the ribs, spine, hips or lower back, especially if accompanied by any of the other symptoms listed here, you should ask your doctor for testing. If you’ve felt dull but increasingly painful aching in these areas, it could be a sign of the prostate cancer spreading to your bones. This is a serious situation and should not be overlooked for any period of time.
7. Erectile dysfunction. There could be many reasons for erectile dysfunction, but when one possibility is prostate cancer, you should ask your doctor for an examination and tell him or her your symptoms. Be specific and don’t downplay any other problems you’ve been experiencing.
8. Weight loss. Of course, if you’ve lost some pounds due to a new exercise regimen and healthy diet, congratulations! However, if you notice that you’ve lost weight and can’t seem to figure out why, you may have an outstanding health issue that you’ve been unaware of. See a physician and tell him that you’re losing weight and don’t know why or how. You may need to agree to some testing to get to the bottom of things, but if the cause is prostate cancer, you’ll be glad you found out earlier rather than later.
   

9. Shortness of breath. If you find that you’re more easily winded when performing normal daily tasks that caused you no strain in the past, share this information with your healthcare provider. Again, there could be a more benign explanation for this symptom, but it’s best to know for sure.
10. Fatigue. Unexplainable fatigue is always a cause for concern. The possible reasons for fatigue comprise a lengthy list, with cancer being a prime concern in that lineup. Tell your doctor that you’ve been feeling run down and tired, and be sure to list any other symptoms to paint the full picture of your current state of health.

Early intervention promises the best outcome for prostate cancer patients. If the cancer is diagnosed while it is still contained at its point of origin, the chance for a complete recovery improves significantly. Once cancer begins to spread to other areas of the body such as the bones or organs, there is a chance that the disease can become terminal. Keeping open lines of communication open with your doctor and responding quickly to any symptoms may save your life.

In some cases, physicians may perform prostate cancer screening as part of a routine physical, although this practice is not universal. If you have a history of prostate cancer in your family, a scheduled, routine screening plan may be an appropriate addition to your regular exams. Talk to your doctor to see if this proactive option may be right for you.

In many cases, prostate cancer patients make a full recovery, but early detection is essential. Whenever you have any questions or concerns about your health, don’t hesitate to speak with your doctor. Even when it’s an uncomfortable conversation, it just may save your life!