With Dr. Cole Kreofsky, Radiation Oncologist
Bismarck Cancer Center
Q: I‘m a 71-year-old man and I’m wondering what the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer are?
A: Prostate cancer is often without symptoms in the early stages, but because of the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test, many men are diagnosed early. Some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or even no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly. However, as prostate cancer progresses, many men do experience symptoms such as:
- A frequent need to urinate
- Fatigue, nausea or vomiting
- Blood in urine or semen
- Erectile dysfunction
- Difficulty starting or stopping a stream of urine
- Dull, deep pain or stiffness in your pelvis, lower back, ribs, or upper thighs
Prostate cancer mainly affects men over 50 and your risk increases as you get older. The average age for men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer is between 65 and 69 years old. Most men past the age of 70 have cancerous cells in their prostate that would never pose a life-threatening risk. The good news is the 5-year survival rate for most men with local prostate cancer is nearly 100%. If you have questions or concerns about your prostate, contact your healthcare provider.