Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer

Prostate cancer may not cause any signs or symptoms, especially in the early stages. It may be found when you’ve had a PSA test or digital rectal examination. Symptoms may appear if the tumour makes the prostate larger than normal and it starts to press on the urethra. This can make passing urine more difficult or painful or you may need to go more often.

As a man gets older, the prostate may become enlarged and block the urethra or bladder. This is a common condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is not cancer, but the symptoms of BPH are similar to the symptoms of prostate cancer. Testing is needed to confirm a diagnosis.

Don't ignore symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. See your doctor. You may need to have some tests to help find out what is causing them. Most enlargements of the prostate are not cancer.

Signs and symptoms for prostate cancer are:

need to urinate often, especially at night
intense need to urinate (urgency)
difficulty in starting or stopping the urine flow
inability to urinate
weak, decreased or interrupted urine stream
a sense of incompletely emptying the bladder
burning or pain during urination
blood in the urine or semen
painful ejaculation

More information on the signs and symptoms of prostate cancer in the Canadian Cancer Encyclopedia

Last modified on: 24 August 2010