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* Difficulty urinating
* Frequent urination, especially at night
* Decreased flow and force of urinary stream
Unfortunately, these early signs of prostate cancer can be caused by other problems, such as acute or chronic prostatitis or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). There is no specific warning sign or symptom\s of prostate cancer.
There are two tests doctors perform to aid in early detection of prostate cancer: a rectal exam (feeling the prostate gland through the rectum) and PSA (protein-specific antigen). Neither of these tests is specific, either.
If a man has urinary symptoms, an enlarged prostate or an elevated PSA, most physicians will refer him to a urologist for a biopsy of the prostate gland. This is the only surefire way to diagnose prostate cancer. Several biopsies are taken from different parts of the gland to make sure they don’t miss anything. Prostate biopsy can be done as an outpatient. The discomfort is usually minor, and most men are able to return to their normal activities within a day or two.
Since PSA testing has become available, prostate cancer is being detected and treated earlier. Early treatment options, such as brachytherapy, have fewer serious side effects than more aggressive treatments, and the treatment is more successful.
Dean Iggo is the webmaster of a website on
prostate health
providing
prostatitus advice for everything from an enlarged prostate to prostate
cancer.
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