Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in men surpassed only by skin cancer. Many risk factors are beyond any man’s control. For example, heredity is a risk factor. Having a close relative with prostate cancer increases one’s chances of detecting the disease immensely.
Nationality is also a risk factor, as prostate cancer is found at the highest rate among African American and Caribbean men. And the largest of all risk factors is the simple act of growing older. Men over the age of 70 are at the highest risk of detecting the disease. On the other hand, the largest contributing factor to surviving prostate cancer is something within every man’s control, that being early detection. Here are four visual signs related to prostate cancer:

1. Difficulty urinating
The prostate is nearly the size of a walnut and is located just beneath the bladder. When prostate cancer is present, the swollen tumor can affect the stream of urine as it passes from the bladder to the urethra. Having trouble with urination may be the result. Difficulty urinating might include difficulty beginning to urinate, increased frequency to urinate, a weak stream when urinating, or pain during urination. The stage in which prostate cancer is detected correlates directly with that person’s chances of surviving the disease so any irregularity in urination is worth mentioning to a doctor.

2. Pelvic pain
Pelvic pain is another common symptom of prostate cancer. The prostate is located close to the lymph nodes which are above the bladder and are often affected first by cancer. As a result, one might feel stiffness in the pelvic area, or dull pain in the lower back. This would also include stiffness in the lower rib area or slight pain in the upper thigh area. Another telling sign is a pain in the bones of the groin area.

3. Blood present in urine
This symptom most often occurs in the advanced stages of prostate cancer. Yet, it is a very important visual sign for one to realize immediately that something is wrong. Blood present in urine is usually caused by blood vessels that have broken. The breaking of blood vessels is due to the prostate’s enlarged surface because of cancer. Prostate cancer can also cause the abrupt stretching of the bladder which can lead to blood in the urine as well. Any blood in the urine means that one should promptly seek further attention from your physician.

4. Chronic fatigue from the low red blood cell count
A low red blood cell count also referred to as anemia, is common in prostate cancer patients. This cancer often affects a person’s bone marrow which is responsible for producing red blood cells. These cells are necessary to properly oxygenate the blood. As a result of a low red blood cell count, one might feel severe tiredness or a persistent feeling of weakness, i.e. fatigue. The effects are not always severe and may only produce a temporary condition of anemia or one which lasts long-term. The presence of chronic fatigue does not necessarily mean that you have the disease, but, as with the other symptom