How can I tell if I have prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms in its early stages. Many men are therefore unaware of the condition at first. Symptoms often only appear once the tumour has grown larger or has already spread within the body.

Take the first warning signs seriously
Even though there are no typical early symptoms, it is important to be aware of any changes in your body. If you experience any symptoms, you should consult a doctor to identify the cause at an early stage.

Difficulty passing urine
In the advanced stages, problems with urination may occur. These include difficulty emptying the bladder or changes in bowel movements if the tumour is pressing on surrounding organs.

Pain in the pelvic area
One possible symptom is pain in the prostate or pelvic area. This occurs when the tumour grows and puts pressure on the surrounding tissue.

Blood in the urine
Blood in the urine can be another warning sign. This symptom should always be taken seriously and investigated by a doctor as soon as possible.

Pain caused by metastases
If the cancer has already spread, pain may occur in other parts of the body. Typical examples include back pain or so-called ‘sciatica’, which is caused by metastases in the bones.

Important to know
As prostate cancer can go undetected for a long time without causing any symptoms, screening tests are particularly important. They help to detect the disease at an early stage – often before any symptoms appear.