According to the National Cancer Institute, prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in America. Each year, more than 186,000 American men learn they have this disease. Only skin cancer is more common.
Although no one knows for certain what causes prostate cancer, it can be helpful to know if you are at risk. Studies have shown the following risk factors for prostate cancer:
- Being older than 65: In the United States, most men with prostate cancer are over 65. This disease is rare in men under 45.
- Family history: If another man in your family has had prostate cancer, you are at a higher risk for getting prostate cancer as.
- Race: Prostate cancer is more common among black men than white or Hispanic men. On the contrary, prostate cancer is less common among Asian, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.
- Certain prostate changes: Men with cells called high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) may be at increased risk of prostate cancer. These prostate cells look abnormal under a microscope.
- Certain genome changes: Researchers have found specific regions on certain chromosomes that are linked to the risk of prostate cancer.
Having a risk factor doesn’t mean that a man will develop prostate cancer. Most men who have risk factors never develop the disease.
Men with prostate cancer may not have any symptoms. Most often, these symptoms are due to an infection or some other condition. However, if you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated.
For men who do have symptoms, the common symptoms include:
- Not being able to pass urine
- Having a hard time starting or stopping the urine flow
- Needing to urinate often, especially at night
- Weak flow of urine
- Urine flow that starts and stops
- Pain or burning during urination
- Difficulty having an erection
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs
