Prostate cancer symptoms: pain may be a sign of the disease

As the most common cancer in British men – pointed out by Cancer Research UK – it could affect somebody you hold dear. Raising awareness about the disease is the Prostate Cancer Free

Foundation. The charity urges people who experience any of the symptoms, listed below, to be tested for prostate cancer. A possible sign of advanced cancer is pain in the pelvis, hips, spine

or upper legs. There could be blood present in urine or semen, pain or discomfort during ejaculation, and difficulty arousing an erection. Someone with advanced prostate cancer may

experience a "weak urine stream", which may make it difficult to start urinating. Other urinary issues include stopping and starting during mid-flow, and frequent urination -

especially at night. A person with the disease may feel pain or a burning sensation when visiting the loo. Urinary problems, in particular may be associated with non-cancerous enlargement of

the prostate - known as "benign prostatic hypertrophy" (BPH). John Hopkins Medicine explained BPH is a "benign tumour", with treatment only neccessary if symptoms become

bothersome. READ MORE: DOES THIS HAPPEN TO YOU IMMEDIATELY AFTER PEEING? IT COULD SIGNAL PROSTATE CANCER Slow-growing prostate cancer may never cause symptoms or shorten a person's

life, so a screening programme isn't looked upon in the UK as beneficial. This is also due to the side effects early prostate cancer treatment can have on a person, who may otherwise

have led a life unaffected by the cancer. In place of a national screening programme, there is an "an informed choice programme". Men, aged 50 or over, can ask their doctor about

PSA testing, who'll detail the pros and cons of the test. Should you want to arrange a PSA test after discussing it with your doctor, it can be carried out for free by the NHS. If the

results reveal a raised level of PSA, your GP may suggest further tests. WHAT'S PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN (PSA)? The Prostate Cancer Free Foundation explained PSA "is a protein

created by the prostate and found in the blood". Normal levels of this protein vary between 0-2.5ng/ml, yet as a man ages – and the prostate naturally enlarges – PSA levels rise.

"Levels greater than 2.5ng/ml can have many different causes," confirmed the charity. These can range from prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, prostate inflammation, infection or

trauma. A clinician may conduct a rectal exam, whereby gloved and lubricated fingers are inserted into the bottom, to check for prostate cancer. This is to examine the posterior of the

prostate for any irregularities, which will need to be investigated further.