While it’s important for men to monitor their own health, it’s sometimes helpful for partners to know the signs of prostate cancer. For women, they are often very attentive to their partner’s health, but because they don’t have the same “equipment” they might miss some of the important red flags for prostate problems. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, here are some of the signs and symptoms to watch for:
- Urinary:
- Frequency – urinating more often (especially if through the night)
- Urgency – Strong overwhelming urge to urinate (often rushing to the toilet)
- Difficulty starting urination or straining to start urine flow
- Weak or slower urine flow
- Urine flow that starts and stops
- Feeling like you cannot empty the bladder
- Incontinence – leaking urine in large or small quantities (often with a cough, laugh or exercise)
- Blood in the urine
- Pain or burning feelings with urination
- Sexual:
- Erectile dysfunction – difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
- Blood in the semen
- Pain with ejaculation or orgasm
- Bowel:
- Fecal incontinence – leaking feces in small or large amounts
- Constipation (especially if there is also weakness in the legs or difficulty walking)
- Other :
- Pain in the bones of the hips, pelvic, back and/or chest
- Weakness, numbness or the feelings of pins and needles in the legs or feet
- Shortness of breath – getting short of breath for activities that you would normally consider to be easy
- A cough that doesn’t go away
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If you or a loved one is experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, it is always best to talk to your doctor. While they may be signs of cancer, they can also be a sign of many other health conditions.
Katie Kelly, Physiotherapist
BSc., MSc. PT
