Although September is officially considered to be prostate cancer awareness month, that does not mean that prostate cancer should be ignored throughout the rest of the year. Prostate cancer typically doesn’t cause many symptoms when in its early stages, so in healthy men in the appropriate age range PSA screening annually can sometimes help to find it. Often urinary symptoms can be caused by benign (non cancerous) prostate or bladder problems, but larger cancers of the prostate can sometimes cause the same symptoms. Here are some of the symptoms which could be due to prostate cancer:

• Bone pain

• Loss of appetite and weight

• Difficulty with urination

• Blood in the urine and ejaculate

There are also several risk factors for prostate cancer, including:

• Obesity

• Heavy smoking history

• Growing older

• Family history of prostate cancer

• African-American ethnicity

If you have any of these risk factors for prostate cancer, be sure to talk to your doctor about having your PSA checked. Prostate symptoms are often very treatable. If they worsen, be sure to call and schedule an appointment with our team at Athens Area Urology.

As for testicular cancer, the symptoms are slightly different. In the United States, testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer for men ages 15-34. Signs of testicular cancer may include:

• Swelling of the testicle

• Dull ache in the testicle

• Painless lump on the testicle

Just like prostate cancer, there are a few extra risk factors for someone being diagnosed with testicular cancer, such as:

• Family history of testicular cancer

• History of undescended testicle

It is crucial to keep an eye out for any of these symptoms or signs, whether it be for prostate cancer or testicular cancer. Thankfully, Athens Area Urology is here to help. If you have any questions or concerns, call AAU at 706-612-9401, or visit our website for more information.