Prostate cancer — what to watch for and what to do
Prostate cancer is common in men, especially after age 50. Not every prostate change means cancer, but knowing the signs and steps helps you act fast. This page gives plain, useful info: symptoms, key tests, treatment choices, and when you should see a doctor.
Signs and risk factors
Early prostate cancer often has no symptoms. When it does, common signs are trouble starting to pee, weak or interrupted urine flow, needing to pee more at night, or feeling like you can’t fully empty your bladder. If cancer spreads, you might get bone pain, unexplained weight loss, or fatigue.
Risk factors to keep in mind: age (risk rises after 50), family history (father or brother with prostate cancer), race (higher rates in Black men), and some inherited genes like BRCA. Lifestyle can affect risk too—diet, exercise, and weight matter.
Tests and diagnosis
Two tests are routine: the PSA blood test and the digital rectal exam (DRE). PSA measures a protein made by the prostate. High PSA doesn’t always mean cancer—infection, enlargement, or recent ejaculation can raise levels. DRE lets the doctor feel the prostate for lumps or hard areas.
If either test looks concerning, the next step is imaging (MRI) and a biopsy. A biopsy takes small tissue samples to check for cancer cells. Newer MRI-guided biopsies are better at finding significant tumors and avoiding unnecessary sampling.
Treatment depends on cancer type, grade, stage, your age, and health. If the cancer is slow-growing, many men choose active surveillance: regular PSA checks, exams, and occasional biopsies. That avoids side effects of treatment until or unless the cancer shows signs of growing.
Active treatments include surgery (removal of the prostate), radiation (external beam or seeds implanted in the prostate), hormone therapy (lowers testosterone to slow tumor growth), and chemotherapy for advanced disease. Each option has trade-offs. Surgery and radiation can affect bladder control and sexual function. Hormone therapy can cause hot flashes, loss of libido, and bone thinning.
Choosing a plan means balancing cancer control with quality of life. Talk with a urologist or oncologist, ask about side effects, recovery time, and how each option fits your goals. Second opinions are totally reasonable and common.
Prevention tips: stay active, eat more vegetables and fish, limit processed and high-fat foods, keep a healthy weight, and don’t smoke. These steps lower overall cancer risk and help recovery if treatment is needed.
See a doctor if you notice persistent urinary changes, blood in urine or semen, new bone pain, or if PSA checks are rising. Early discussion and testing give you more choices and better outcomes. If you want clear answers or help interpreting test results, bring your questions and recent records to your visit.
