Prostate cancer is among the most common types of cancer in American men, as stated by the National Cancer Institute. Prostate cancer is any cancer that initiates in your prostate. So, what is the prostate? It is a walnut-sized gland near the penis and the bladder responsible for the production of seminal fluid. When you get older, your risk of having prostate cancer increases. Here are seven early signs of prostate cancer you should watch out for:

1. Urinary tract and bladder problems
A prostate lump that has grown considerably in size can begin to press on the urethra and bladder. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of your body from the bladder. If the tumor presses on your urethra, you may have trouble urinating. The most common area for the spread of prostate cancer is the bladder since the two parts are close together. This may cause additional issues with bladder and urination function.

Some of the symptoms of affected urethra and bladder are:

• Urinates more frequently
• Have blood in the semen or urine
• Inability to hold urine (incontinence)

2. Back or hip pain
Among the most popular areas for the spread of prostate cancer is in the bones, frequently the hip and spine, as they are closer to the prostate. When cancer gets to the bones, healthy bone material begins to move. The bones become fragile and may break much more easily than normal. Having prostate cancer spread to the bone is painful and regularly requires treatment to control the pain. You might feel dull or throbbing pain that does not go away and interrupts regular activities or sleep. Back pain may signify that cancer has spread to the bones or pressure on the spinal cord. The compression of the spinal cord occurs when cancer presses against it so hard that the nerves may no longer function properly. This needs medical handling, and your cancer crew can discuss a plan with you.

3. Loss of intestinal control
It is rare, but prostate cancer may also spread to the intestines. Cancer begins spreading to the rectum, the part of the intestine closest to the prostate. Cancer symptoms that it have spread to the intestines include:

• Stomach ache
• Blood in the stool
• Constipation

4. Swelling or weakness in the legs
Advanced cancer starts to move other healthy cells in the body as it develops. Tumors may press on areas such as the spinal cord and result in pain, swelling, or tingling in the feet and legs.

5. Coughing or shortness of breath
In case you have progressive cancer and are starting to have difficulty in breathing, it might mean it has reached your lungs. You may have a cough that won’t go away, begin coughing up blood or turn into being easily out of breath. Cancer in the lungs can also cause fluid buildup, which can lead to infections and lung collapse.

6. Pain in the groin
When this cancer spreads, the cells go to the lymph nodes and travel to more parts of your body. The lymph lumps are a net of glands that help the body fight infection and filter fluids.

There are numerous lymph nodes in the groin. These are closer to your prostate, so it is common for cancer to reach them first. The cells inhibit lymph nodes from removing fluid and functioning appropriately. When this takes place, the lymph nodes enlarge. Consequently, you may experience soreness or pain in the area.

7. Mysterious weight loss
Loss of weight without exercising and consuming less is a common sign of progressive cancer. Loss of interest in food or appetite is also a sign that prostate cancer has reached other parts of the body, such as the liver.

Even though your cancer has progressed, there are several treatment options offered. Due to improvements in medical research, people can live longer. Treatments for progressive prostate cancer focuses on controlling symptoms and reducing the spread and growth of cancer.