Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK.
The disease usually develops slowly and there may be no signs for many years. Symptoms don’t usually appear until the cancer has grown large enough to put pressure on the urethra.
This can cause problems with urination, such as needing to pee more frequently, often during the night, and needing to rush to the toilet.
Other common symptoms include difficulty in starting to pee, weak flow and straining or taking a long time peeing.
Blood in urine or semen and a feeling the bladder has not emptied fully are other common signs of the disease.
These symptoms do not necessarily signal prostate cancer, and could be a sign of a non-cancerous condition called prostate enlargement.
Prostate enlargement is when the prostate becomes enlarged, putting pressure on the bladder and urethra.
It is common in men aged of 50 and isn’t usually a serious threat to health.
When prostate cancer spreads to other parts of the body, it can cause symptoms which may not seem obviously linked to cancer.
One less obvious symptom of advanced prostate cancer is loss of appetite, according to the NHS.
In fact, according to the health body, poor appetite is common in people with cancer and chronic illnesses.
In line with loss of appetite, another sign of advanced prostate cancer is unexplained weight loss, which the NHS also says is a common symptom of cancer.
Other signs prostate cancer may have spread to other parts of the body is experiencing bone and back pain, or pain in the testicles.
When prostate cancer spreads, it can be difficult to treat, so sometimes the aim of treatment is to prolong life and delay symptoms, rather than attempt to cure it.
In the earlier stages of the disease, if treatment is necessary, the aim is to cure or control the disease so it affects everyday life as little as possible and doesn’t shorten life expectancy.
In the early stages, some men will choose not to undergo treatment as the side effects can be unfavourable. Side effects can include erectile dysfunction and further urinary problems.
In these instances, some men may choose to delay treatment until there’s a risk the cancer might spread.
“For many men with prostate cancer, treatment is not immediately necessary. If the cancer is at an early stage and not causing symptoms, your doctor may suggest either ‘watchful waiting’ or ‘active surveillance’,” said the NHS.
“Some cases are only diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer has spread.”
“If the cancer spreads to other parts of the body and can’t be cured, then treatment is focused on prolonging life and relieving symptoms.”