Prostate cancer is the most common non-skin cancer in America. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in six American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, making men 35 percent more likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer than women are to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

Approximately 90 percent of all prostate cancers are detected when the tumor is confined to the prostate or to its immediate environs. Because men with very early-stage disease often do not exhibit symptoms, these cancers are typically detected by the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and DRE (digital rectal exam) screening test.  Many times, in fact, signs of prostate cancer are first detected by a doctor during a routine check-up.

Some men, however, will experience changes in urinary or sexual function that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer. These symptoms include:

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night

•  Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine

•  Weak or interrupted flow of urine

•  Painful or burning urination

•  Difficulty in having an erection

•  Painful ejaculation

•  Blood in urine or semen

•  Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs

You should consult with your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause.

There is no “one size fits all” treatment prostate cancer. You should learn as much as possible about the many treatment options available and, in conjunction with your physicians, make a decision about what’s best for you. Consultation with all three types of prostate cancer specialists—a urologist, a radiation oncologist, and a medical oncologist—will give you the most comprehensive assessment of the available treatments and expected outcomes.

 Lynda Metz is the director of community development at Bonner General Hospital.  The information in this article was provided courtesy of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.