• About Male Cancer »
• Prostate Cancer »
• Signs and symptoms

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

There is no single symptom to indicate the presence of prostate cancer. Problems with the prostate are common; they may not necessarily be caused by cancer, and may result in slowly developing symptoms that can easily be confused with “getting older”.

Because the prostate gland surrounds the tube known as the urethra, which passes urine from the bladder to the outside of the body, any prostate disease or growth (benign or malignant) is likely to cause problems with urination.

• Common symptoms include the following:
• Slow or weak flow of urine
• Urinating more frequently or urgently than usual
• Difficulty starting to urinate
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating
• Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection or pain during ejaculation
• Constipation, altered bowel habit, or not feeling the bladder is completely empty

• Less common symptoms include the following:
• Unexplained urinary infection or pain in the groin, back or hips
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Impotence

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that prostate cancer is present. Many men with early prostate cancer will have no symptoms at all.