Prostate cancer is a disease that particularly affects men over the age of 50. Often silent at first, it progresses (fortunately) fairly slowly. However, it must be taken seriously. Metastases can occur and spread to the rest of the body. In Switzerland, there are over 6,000 new cases every year. So how do you spot the symptoms of prostate cancer? Is there any way of preventing the disease, and what are the different stages?
What is prostate cancer?
The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra, which lies below the bladder. Its purpose is to produce the prostatic fluid that enables spermatozoa to mature and move during ejaculation.
This is an area that is susceptible to the development of abnormal cells that multiply: this is prostate cancer. Although rare, metastases can develop in the rest of the body if left untreated. This can occur in very elderly patients.
Prostate cancer symptoms by stage
Prostate cancer can be divided into 4 stages according to the TNM classification (Tumour, Nodes and Metastases).
Symptoms of stage I prostate cancer
Stage I is when the cancer is still localised and limited to the prostate. This stage is often asymptomatic. However, some people may suffer from the following symptoms:
- A frequent need to urinate
- Difficulty starting or stopping urination
- The feeling that your bladder is never empty
Symptoms of stage II prostate cancer
Stage II prostate cancer occurs when the cancer is locally advanced, i.e. when it has spread beyond the prostate but has not spread to the lymph nodes. At this stage, symptoms may include the following:
- Worsening of stage I symptoms
- Pelvic pain
- Erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation
Symptoms of stage III prostate cancer
When prostate cancer affects the lymph nodes in the pelvis, it is known as stage III. This stage may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Worsening of stage II symptoms
- Pain in the pelvis, hips or upper thighs.
- Generalized weakness
- Involuntary weight loss
- Severe fatigue
- Blood in the urine or semen
Symptoms of stage IV prostate cancer
In this final stage, the cancer generally metastasises to the bones.
- Worsening of stage III symptoms
- Swelling in the groin or pelvis
- Severe bone pain
But be careful! Symptoms generally appear later than the onset of the disease and vary from person to person. Hence the importance of screening for prostate cancer after the age of 50! If you have one or more of these symptoms, don’t wait to seek help. Whatever your age. If the disease is managed, prostate cancer can be treated or its progress closely monitored.
How to prevent prostate cancer
Unfortunately, there are no specific preventive measures to avoid prostate cancer. However, a healthy lifestyle is of course recommended. The best method of prevention is still screening. So, once you’ve passed the age of 50, with or without symptoms, you can choose to have yourself screened for prostate cancer. It’s a personal choice, of course, and one you need to be aware of and informed about.
