Prostate cancer warning - this is why back pain could be serious
BACK pain can be aggravating, and affect your daily life. But, it could be a sign of prostate cancer.
Dr. Chris encourages men to have prostate cancer test
- Back pain could be a sign of prostate cancer
- Advanced prostate cancer can cause back, hip and pelvic pain
- Other signs of cancer include erectile dysfunction and finding blood in your urine
- Most men don't show signs or symptoms of early prostate cancer
Prostate cancer symptoms can include back pain, according to charity Prostate Cancer UK.
If the cancer reaches a more advanced stage, it can spread to other parts of the body, and lead to back pain, hip pain or pelvis pain.
Erectile dysfunction, finding blood in your urine or semen, and unexplained weight loss could also be a sign of advanced prostate cancer.
The symptoms could also be caused by diabetes or prostatitis - a swollen prostate.
Prostate cancer: Back pain could be a sign of disease
Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms
“Most men with early prostate cancer don’t have any signs or symptoms,” said Prostate Cancer UK.
“One reason for this is the way the cancer grows.
“You’ll usually only get early symptoms if the cancer grows near the tube you urinate through [the urethra] and presses against it, changing the way you urinate.
“But, because prostate cancer usually starts to grow in a different part of the prostate, early prostate cancer doesn’t often press on the urethra and cause symptoms.”
Prostate cancer: Back pain could be a sign that the disease has spread
Prostate cancer: Hip pain and pelvic pain could also be signs of the condition
Other signs of prostate cancer include difficulty starting to urinate, or emptying your bladder.
A weak flow when you urinate, or a feeling that your bladder hasn’t emptied properly are also prostate cancer symptoms.
Patients could also experience dribbling after they finish urinating, urinating more often, and having sudden urges to use the toilet.
You should see a GP if you notice a change that isn’t normal for you, or if you have any of the possible signs and symptoms of prostate cancer, said Cancer Research UK.
Prostate cancer: Your risk of disease increases after 50 years old
Prostate cancer: Finding blood in your urine could be sign of the cancer
It’s not exactly known what causes prostate cancer, said the NHS.
But, your risk of the disease could be increased if you’re over 50 years old, or are of African-Caribbean or African descent.
A family history of the cancer could increase your risk of the disease, too.
Regular exercise could lower your chances of developing prostate cancer.