Approximately 220,900 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed and 28,900 men will die of the disease in 2004.(1) Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among men, with over 80% of all cases occurring in men over age 65. At all ages, African-American men are diagnosed with the disease at later stages and die of prostate cancer more often than do white men. The reasons for the greater incidence and mortality among African-American men are unknown.
In the early stages, prostate cancer often causes no symptoms for many years. As a matter of fact, these cancers frequently are first detected by an abnormality on a blood test (the PSA) or as a hard nodule (lump) in the prostate gland.
Possible signs of prostate cancer include a weak flow of urine or frequent urination. These and other symptoms may be caused by prostate cancer or by other conditions. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
- Weak or interrupted flow of urine.
- Frequent urination (especially at night).
- Difficulty urinating.
- Pain or burning during urination.
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis.
- Painful ejaculation.
For more, please visit the following MedicineNet.com areas:
- Prostate Cancer Center
- Focus Topics on Men's Health
- Focus Topics on Cancer
Portions of the above information has been provided with the kind permission
of the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and the National Cancer
Institute (www.cancer.gov).
(1) The American Cancer Society
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