Overview
Prostate cancer is a common cancer in older men that grows in the small gland below the bladder. Many prostate cancers grow so slowly that they never cause harm, while others are more aggressive. Early disease usually has no symptoms, and urinary symptoms are more often due to a simple enlarged prostate. Because treatment choices depend heavily on the type and stage, any urinary change or family history in an older man is worth discussing with a doctor.
Symptoms
- Often no symptoms in the early stage
- Difficulty passing urine or a weak stream
- Needing to urinate more often, especially at night
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Bone pain or weight loss in advanced disease
When to see a doctor
See a doctor for urinary changes, blood in the urine, or if you are an older man with a family history, to discuss checking.
Causes
The cause is unclear; risk rises with age, family history, and being of certain ethnic backgrounds.