Prostate cancer is one of the most frequently occurring cancers in men. It begins in the prostate gland, which sits between the penis and the bladder. The symptoms are hard to detect in the early stages. However, it does give a few signs that indicate something is the matter. If you know more about the early symptoms and diagnosis of prostate cancer, you will know when to visit a doctor and what to expect.

Common early symptoms of prostate cancer include:
Frequent Urination
You may feel the need to urinate more often. This is likely to happen more at night, causing you to wake up with an urge to urinate. Sometimes, you may feel that you cannot control your urine.

Problems Urinating
Some people may have some trouble with dribbling, weak urine stream, and starting urination. It could be a symptom of prostate cancer and should be attended to immediately.

Painful Urination
This is one of the most common signs of prostate cancer. It is common for men with prostate cancer to experience pain or burning sensation while urinating. There could also be a presence of blood in the urine.

Issues with Reproductive Organs
Many men with prostate cancer suffer from erectile dysfunction, and if they get an erection, they may experience painful ejaculation or the amount of fluid that is ejaculated is significantly less. The semen could be laced with blood.

The top diagnosis methods for prostate cancer are:
Medical History Examination
Early symptoms and diagnosis of prostate cancer help in improved prognosis. That is why doctors usually ask patients about the symptoms they are experiencing and the possible risk factors, which include understanding the family medical history.

Physical Examination
The doctor will perform a digital rectal examination that involves inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum to feel the prostate gland for abnormalities, such as hardening and bumps.

Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test

If the levels of the protein PSA, which is produced by the prostate gland, are high, the chances of having prostate cancer are high as well. In such a case, blood sample is taken and tested in the lab for PSA.

Prostate Gland Biopsy
If the rectal examination and PSA test suggest a possibility of cancer, you will have to undergo prostate biopsy. A urologist will perform the biopsy that involves taking a small sample of the prostate and check it for cancer cells in the lab.

These are the early symptoms and diagnosis of prostate cancer. A biopsy is the only way to confirm the presence of cancer, and should your results come back positive, the cancer will be graded to determine the extent of the malignancy. Based on the grade assigned, the oncologist will plan the treatment and the duration of the treatment.