Some of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate are like the symptoms for prostate cancer. Awareness of both conditions can help you know when it’s time to see a specialist.
Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlarged prostate is not cancerous. But the symptoms may become so problematic that this condition interferes with quality of life.
Changes in hormones cause an increase in the number of cells in the prostate, making it grow and narrow the urine tube that runs through the center of the prostate. This begins at around the age of 40.
Symptoms of enlarged prostate may be minor or irregular. While many men wait to see a doctor, we recommend making an appointment with us to get a correct diagnosis and consider treatment for the symptoms. Signs of enlarged prostate are:
- Urine stream is weak
- Difficulty urinating
- Stops and starts in the urine flow
- Bladder isn’t emptying completely
- Increase in the frequency of urination, especially at night
- Sudden urge to urinate
- Leaking after urination
- Straining to urinate
By comparison, there are usually no symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is rare in men younger than 40, but the chance of having prostate cancer rises rapidly after age 50. About 60 percent of prostate cancers are found in men older than 65. Having a brother or father with prostate cancer more than doubles the risk of developing this disease.
When symptoms of prostate cancer do appear, they may include:
- Painful urination
- Difficulty or inability to urinate
- Frequent urination
- Decreased strength of urine stream
- Waking at night to urinate
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
- Deep pain in the lower back, abdomen, hip or pelvis
- Loss of appetite and/ or weight
- Persistent bone pain
If you have any of these symptoms, contact our office to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Our clinics are conveniently located around the state of Arkansas. And we are staffed with specialists who are experts in diagnosing and treating prostate conditions.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Are you concerned about the health of your prostate? Contact us today to schedule your appointment, or book your appointment online.
