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Common prostate problems

Prostate cancer is diagnosed in American men more often than any other cancer except skin cancer. And although most cases of prostate cancer never become life-threatening, prostate cancer kills more men than any other cancer except lung cancer. These are scary statistics. The good news is that when it is detected early, prostate cancer is often cured. So it’s important that men have regular checkups and talk to their doctors about prostate screening exams.

Your Prostate Health
We hear a lot of information about prostate cancer. Many VIPs and celebrities have been diagnosed with this disease. But cancer is not the only condition that affects the prostate. Take a look at the three most common prostate problems listed below.

The Three Most Common Prostate Problems
1. PROSTATITIS: This extremely common condition is an infection or inflammation of the prostate. It is caused by the spread of infection in the bladder or urethra. Prostatitis can occur in men of all ages from puberty on.

SYMPTOMS

  • Pain or burning sensation during urination.
  • Frequent urination
  • A frequent sensation of having a full bladder.
  • Burning with ejaculation.
  • Discolored semen.
  • Pain or fever.

2. BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH) OR PROSTATE ENLARGEMENT
Half of men over 50 experience some systoms of BPH, which is benign tissue growth in the prostate. It is not cancer and does not turn into cancer. However, a man can have BPH and prostate cancer at the same time.

SYMPTOMS

  • Frequent urination.
  • Incomplete emptying of the bladder.
  • A weak or interrupted urine stream.
  • Difficulty starting urination.

3. PROSTATE CANCER: This condition is the growth of abnormal cells in the prostate. It can be life-threatening. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men (the first being lung cancer).

SYMPTOMS
Prostate cancer may have no symptoms.
When symptoms do occur, they may include:

  • Frequent urination.
  • Difficulty starting urination.
  • Incomplete emptying of the bladder.
  • Blood in semen.
  • Low back pain.
  • Interrupted or weak urine stream.