Conclusion
Prostate cancer is widespread in males, but it is not always lethal. In most cases, it grows slowly and is limited to the prostate, but there are also many cases of aggressive prostate cancer. Thus, we can’t underestimate the malignancy and aggressiveness of the disease.
The most important symptoms to detect prostate cancer are urinary symptoms such as weak urinary stream, straining, and nocturia. They can also be triggered by prostatitis, and an infection can trigger some urinary symptoms. However, the risk of urinary infections in males is much lower compared to women, and it is less likely to be the cause.
Other symptoms of prostate cancer include bone pain, edema, and back or groin pain. However, these are no early symptoms, and your suspicion of prostate cancer should not be based on them. They are more likely present in patients with advanced disease after many years have passed since prostate cancer started to grow.
Screening methods for prostate cancer include the PSA test, digital rectal examination, and ultrasound scans. However, they are not to be applied to all patients indiscriminately. Patients with a higher risk or those with suggestive urinary tract symptoms should run these tests, especially if they have first-degree relatives with the disease.
In any case, screening recommendations change according to the current public health concerns in a given population and the results of previous attempts to curb the consequences of the disease. Thus, the best idea instead of taking prostate cancer prevention in your own hands is to talk to your doctor and follow his advice.