As guys get older, it’s important for them to be aware of the various health challenges that could crop up. One thing in particular that affects men as they age is prostate cancer, which tends to show up more often in elderly folks. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, prostate cancer ranks pretty high on the list of cancers that American men are diagnosed with. In fact, it’s right up there at number two!
Knowing what kind of symptoms can occur with this condition can make all the difference in catching things early and getting treatment started ASAP. If someone happens to live in an assisted living community where routine checkups are already part of their care plan, keeping tabs on their overall health just got a little bit easier!
Urinary Symptoms
Here are some things to keep an eye out for when it comes to possible prostate cancer symptoms in older guys. Because of where the prostate is located, any issues with this gland can show up as changes to urination habits. These may include:
- Having to pee a lot, especially at night.
- Trouble starting or keeping a steady urine flow going.
- Pee dribbling or pausing during peeing.
- Sudden urges to pee that feel really strong and urgent.
These could be signs of other health issues too. However, if they’re persistent or seem especially bothersome, it might be worth getting checked out by a doctor.
Sexual Symptoms
Besides affecting their urinary habits, prostate cancer can also mess with older guys’ sexual function. Here are some things that could happen in the bedroom if someone has this condition:
- They might have trouble getting or keeping an erection.
- Ejaculation might become painful or uncomfortable.
- Their overall interest in sex may decrease.
Of course, any of these symptoms could be linked to other health issues too. So, it’s so important to see a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and care guidance!
General Symptoms
There are some other signs that might pop up if an older guy has prostate cancer, and these ones don’t have to do with peeing or sex stuff! Here are a few examples:
- Ongoing pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
- Seeing blood in their urine or semen.
- Losing weight without any clear reason.
- Feeling tired all the time and not having much energy.
- Swelling around their legs.
If anyone notices any of these symptoms hanging around for too long, it’s really important to get things checked out by a medical professional ASAP. Catching this kind of cancer early can make a huge difference when it comes to staying healthy and feeling good!
Conclusion
To wrap things up, it’s important not to jump to conclusions if you notice any of the symptoms we talked about earlier. Just because someone has some changes in their peeing habits or sexual function doesn’t automatically mean they have prostate cancer! There are lots of other potential causes out there, and sometimes, these issues are just part of getting older.
But if any pain or discomfort lasts too long, it makes sense to touch base with a healthcare provider and see what’s going on. When it comes to prostate cancer, catching things early is key to staying as healthy as possible!