Prostate cancer - Symptoms

The symptoms of prostate cancer depend upon the stage of the disease. Some people have no symptoms, and only discover that they have prostate cancer when they have a blood test, known as prostate specific antigen.

Symptoms include needing to pass water frequently; not being able to pass water (urinary retention); not being able to control passing water (incontinence); pain on passing water; a weak urine stream; blood in the urine. However, all these symptoms can be caused by other prostate problems such as prostatitis and benign prostatic hypertrophy.

Other symptoms which can occur are due to the cancer spreading to other places. These symptoms include pain in the lower back, hips or pelvis and difficulty getting or keeping an erection.