Going All the Time? It Might Be Your Prostate

If you are male, over 40, and are urinating often – your prostate might be the problem.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland between the bladder and the penis – just in front of the rectum. The prostate wraps around your urethra – a tube that lets urine flow out of your body. A swollen prostate can block urine flow – making it difficult to pee.

Problems urinating can result from issues other than prostate cancer, so it’s essential to know the signs.

What is Prostate Cancer?

Cancer is a disease where cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the prostate, it’s called prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer affects one in eight men. According to the American Cancer Society, it’s the second most common type of cancer among men after skin cancer.

Six Signs of Prostate Cancer

Here are worrying signs you might notice.

1. Difficulty starting urination
2. Weak or interrupted flow of urine
3. Urinating often, especially at night
4. Trouble emptying the bladder completely
5. Pain or burning during urination
6. Blood in the urine or semen

Talk to your doctor right away if you experience any of these.

Are You At Risk for Prostate Cancer? 

While there are no specific causes for prostate cancer, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified risk factors. They include:

• Age: The most common risk factor. The older you are, the more likely you are to develop prostate cancer.
• Race: Black men are more likely to get prostate cancer, get it at a younger age, have advanced disease when diagnosed, and are twice as likely to die from prostate cancer.
• Genetics: Having a close family member with prostate cancer raises your risk.

You can reduce your risk by making healthy choices – eat well, exercise, and get a PSA blood test to know your risk.

Get Tested

Poor health, infection, and prostatitis can all cause symptoms that mirror the signs of prostate cancer. So, if you are male, over 40, and have symptoms, it’s important to get tested. There are two screening tests for prostate cancer.

• PSA Blood Test: A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test looks for elevated levels of PSA, which can indicate prostate cancer
• DRE Exam: A digital rectal exam (DRE) performed by the physician to determine if there are changes in the prostate

You and your physician can decide what’s next if either is abnormal.

Talk To Your Doctor

Whether you need a checkup, prostate screening, or help managing a chronic condition, Grady’s primary care physicians are here to help. Book your appointment online at gradyhealth.org, through MyChart, or call (404) 616-1000. With convenient locations across metro Atlanta, you’ll have access to expert primary care and Grady’s full network of specialty services.