Many seniors leave prostate cancer undetected, even once the symptoms begin to appear in the later stages of the disease, because many of the symptoms are ones that can be easily mistaken as what San Jose seniors believe are part of the natural process of aging. It’s not uncommon for seniors to have urinary difficulties, or even sexual dysfunction into their senior years, so many may hesitate to mention it to their doctors due to embarrassment or acceptance.

If the following symptoms arise, talk to your doctor so that prostate cancer can either be ruled out or treated:

1. Frequent urination – prostate cancer can be signified by a frequent need to urinate, especially at night
2. Difficulty urinating – despite the feeling of needing to urinate often, seniors might have problems starting to urinate, or even sometimes with holding back urine
3. Weak urination – when urinating, seniors may find that the flow of urine is interrupted or weak
4. Burning urination – when urinating, seniors may feel a burning sensation
5. Sexual dysfunction – seniors with prostate cancer may find it difficult to attain or maintain an erection, and may find that ejaculation can be extremely painful
6. Blood – blood might appear in urine or semen
7. Stiffness in body – seniors may feel pain or stiffness in their lower back, hips of upper thighs

Via: Prostate Cancer Foundation

Call Home Instead Senior Care serving elders in San Jose, Los Gatos, Santa Clara and Saratoga when seeking help for your aging parents – 408-370-6360.