Prostate cancer symptoms that mimic common age-related problems: Doctor shares warning signs |

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the prostate gland, that helps make semen. Most men don’t notice anything at first because early prostate cancer often doesn’t cause obvious symptoms. It quietly grows, sometimes for years, before it becomes big enough to bother you. And that’s part of the reason it can sneak up on people.Prostate cancer ranks as the third leading cancer site among males in India, following lung cancer and mouth cancer. Globally, about 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed every year, and those numbers are expected to rise as populations age. A 2024 study found that “Prostate cancer incidence showed a rise after the age of 50, with a notable acceleration after age 64. The overall annual percentage change for prostate cancer incidence from 1982 to 2016 was 2.6. Around 43.0% of all prostate cancers were diagnosed at the distant metastatic stage.”

You’d think that when something is becoming more common, people would talk about it more. But that isn’t really the case with prostate cancer in India. Even though prostate cancer is one of the cancers men get most often, a lot of guys either haven’t heard of it or don’t take it seriously until it’s too late.One big reason is that early signs don’t scream “something’s wrong.” Frequent peeing at night or a weak stream, most men just shrug it off as “just aging” or chalk it up to an enlarged prostate (which lots of older men get). The subtlety of symptoms means many folks don’t even think, maybe I should check this out with a doctor.And then there’s the whole talk-about-it problem. In many Indian families, men aren’t used to chatting about urinary issues or anything that feels “private.” Shame or embarrassment kicks in, doctors don’t get a call, and the awareness just stays low.Studiesalso show that general knowledge about cancers not linked to tobacco, prostate for instance, is very low in many parts of India. Most people might have heard the name but can’t really say what it is, what the risk factors are, or why early detection matters.

Prostate cancer: Common symptoms that get missed easily

“Prostate cancer may not cause symptoms at first. Most prostate cancers are found at an early stage,” says MayoClinic and shares the list of symptoms that can be seen during the early stage:

It says the symptoms of advanced prostate cancer are:

To understand prostate cancer symptoms better we at TOI Health spoke to Dr. Arun Kumar Goel, Chairman- Surgical Oncology, Andromeda Cancer Hospital on prostate cancer, what are its symptoms that seem like old-age problems and when should one see a doctor.

How can I tell the difference between normal aging and early signs of prostate cancer?

Dr. Arun Kumar Goel: As men age, eventually, many will develop symptoms caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). These include a weak urinary stream, not emptying your bladder (urinary retention) and waking up more than 2 times per night to urinate (nocturia). The symptoms of BPH typically progress slowly over time. Prostate Cancer may present in similar ways during early stages but is typically detected by the following signs: blood in urine/sperm, persistent bone or back pain, sudden/unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and rapidly increasing symptoms rather than slow progression over an extended period.

Dr. Arun Kumar Goel: It is common for men to experience nocturia while they age, and waking up one to two times is considered normal, especially if it is an occasional occurrence. However, increased concern arises if the pattern becomes frequent enough (more than two to three times each night), appears suddenly or increases in severity and if any additional symptom accompanies it, weak urine stream, urinary retention, or blood in urine. Therefore, if the issues of nocturia and/or waking frequently at night are noticed, they should be evaluated further.

Dr. Arun Kumar Goel: If a person sees blood in their urine, semen, experiences unexplained weight loss or fatigue, they should contact their physician. Symptoms such as blood, new or increasing urinary symptoms, weak or interrupted stream of urine, or continuing pain in lower back, hips, and/or pelvis are an indication for consulting their physician. Additionally, symptoms disrupting sleep or work would also warrant a visit to a doctor.

Dr. Arun Kumar Goel: Most physicians will begin routine screening for prostate cancer based on family history when the man reaches 50 years old, while those with a family history of prostate cancer may begin screening at an earlier age, between 40 and 45 years of age. A standard screening for prostate cancer consists of a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test and a digital rectal examination (DRE). Depending on what the initial PSA test results indicate and how risk factors (family history, ethnicity, etc.) for the individual, the possible frequency of screenings are from once a year to every 1-2 years.

Dr. Arun Kumar Goel: Family history has been shown to increase the likelihood of developing prostate cancer, so even mild changes in urinary function should be evaluated by a doctor. During the evaluation, even though the initial thought may be that such changes are due to normal aging or BPH (benign prostate hyperplasia) it is important not to discount them as such. The earlier a person discusses any concerns with their doctor, has a PSA test performed, and follows up regularly, the greater the likelihood that prostate cancer will be detected early enough to allow for successful treatment.Prostate cancer doesn’t always announce itself loudly. When symptoms look like “normal aging,” it’s easy to ignore them. Doctors stress that paying attention to changes, and talking about them early, can make the difference between a cancer that’s treatable and one that’s already advanced.