Prostate cancer is, unfortunately, a very common disease. It affects only men, with the vast majority of cases in men 40 years or older. It is the most common type of cancer a man can get. Every year, hundreds of thousands of men in the United States are diagnosed with prostate cancer. This is only a small portion of the number of men who have it and don’t know they do.
The symptoms of prostate cancer are varied. Two thirds of those suffering from prostate cancer show no symptoms. When symptoms first start, they begin with urinary dysfunction. The problems can include painful urination, frequent urination, difficulty urinating, and the need to urinate at night. Blood may be apparent in your urine.
Sexual dysfunction is also symptoms of prostate cancer. The problems can include difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection, and painful or bloody ejaculation. Depending on the location of the cancer, you may also experience both bladdar and colon incontinence.
As the cancer progresses, new and more notable symptoms can appear. The cancer can spread to other parts of the body, wreaking havoc and pain. The new symptoms can include bone pain and leg weakness.
As prostate cancer can be hard to discover from a lack of symptoms, it is important to recognize the risk factors. Here are 10 rick factors of prostate cancer. If you believe you are at risk for prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about being tested.
1. Age
Age is a huge factor in your risk for prostate cancer. The statistics are shocking. 30% of men 50 and over already have prostate cancer. 80% of men 70 and over have prostate cancer. On average, the age of diagnosis of prostate cancer is 70 years old. Generally, the older the man, the greater the risk of developing prostate cancer. Agressive forms of prostate cancer can affect men at any age, but this is rare. If you are over 40 years old, it would be a smart idea to be proactive and get checked.