Prostate cancer is a condition wherein healthy cells in a man’s prostate begin growing aggressively and out of control. If left unchecked, this tumor can spread to nearby organs such as the rectum, bladder, and others. In such instances, this disease is likely to become life-threatening. Fortunately, prostate cancer is often highly curable if healthcare professionals diagnose and treat it at an early stage. Some of the common warning signs of prostate cancer are listed below.

Stiffness in the lower back
If the tumor is not dealt with during its initial stages, prostate cancer spreads to several areas encompassing the lower back region in a person’s body. The malignant cells can negatively affect the bones, leading to a condition known as bone metastasis. Eventually, cancer affects the spine and triggers back stiffness and pain in people. This symptom can sometimes make it hard for patients to sit.

Frequent urination
As mentioned earlier, in its advanced stages, prostate cancer can affect surrounding organs, such as the bladder, urethra, and, in the long term, kidneys if it spreads. The urethra and the bladder are two organs close to the prostate gland. So, as the prostate enlarges out of control due to cancerous cell growth, it puts pressure on the bladder, which in turn causes people to feel the urgent need to urinate more often than usual. Therefore, people with the condition often visit the restroom to relieve themselves. Frequent urge to urinate can also be linked with other factors, such as the climate, but it is advised to consult a healthcare professional to rule out the risk of prostate cancer.

Loss of bowel control
Besides losing control of their urination, people with prostate cancer also tend to lose their hold over their bowels during certain stages of the progressive disorder. As implied earlier, the rectum is very close to the prostate gland. So, as the prostate enlarges, it pushes into the front wall of the rectum- the part responsible for regulating a person’s bowels. Therefore, unchecked prostate enlargement results in a person’s rectum emptying without their knowledge or will. Loss of bowel control can also be caused by spinal cord compression or prostate cancer treatment. When patients experience this symptom, they must consult a health expert to undergo a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Discomfort/pain while sitting
The abnormal enlargement of the prostate due to cancerous cell growth tends to change certain aspects of an individual’s life. One such common change is pain or extreme discomfort while sitting. Prostate cancer often only becomes apparent in its middle to later stages, when an individual’s prostate gland grows and puts pressure on areas and parts such as the lower back, hips, thighs, and pelvis. Such individuals start permanently experiencing pain and discomfort in these areas, which gets exacerbated when they sit down.

Unexplained muscle loss
Like other cancers, prostate cancer affects the supply of blood and nutrients to body parts. As a result, all muscles and organs in a person’s body do not receive the vital nourishment needed for their growth. It directly causes people with prostate cancer to suffer dramatic muscle mass loss without trying. Besides prostate cancer, reduced muscle mass is a common sign of other severe conditions. So, if one experiences this symptom, it is advised to visit a healthcare provider immediately before it leads to complications.

Fatigue
As prostate cancer reduces the amount of blood and nourishment all body parts receive, some of the worst affected areas include the brain and lungs. It is common for people with prostate cancer to frequently feel lightheaded or dizzy due to insufficient amounts of vital elements such as oxygen, iron, and others reaching the brain, lungs, and other parts. These elements are responsible for energizing people and helping them efficiently perform their daily tasks. When the amount of blood and oxygen reaching such vital organs reduces, people will feel tired after performing the simplest of daily tasks, such as climbing stairs or a few routine sprints in the morning.

Erectile dysfunction
While prostate cancer in itself does not cause erectile dysfunction, its treatments can bring about this condition in men. There are several treatment options for prostate cancer, and most of them have erectile dysfunction as a common side effect, as they all tend to reduce testosterone levels in the body. Nearly all patients will experience some form of erectile dysfunction in the initial few months after undergoing therapy for prostate cancer. However, the symptoms tend to improve within one year after treatment.