It is not unusual for men to experience certain difficulties during urination as they age. Over time, the prostate gland grows. Once a man reaches his fifties, he may start to experience problems in urination because the prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra, is restricting the flow of urine from the bladder. This condition is commonly referred to as BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Besides discomfort and inconvenience, BPH is harmless.

Prostate cancer, on the other hand, is far from harmless. In fact, it is estimated that over 32,000 men died from the disease in 2010, according to the American Cancer Society. One of the most problematic aspects of prostate cancer is that it causes symptoms which are identical to BPH and other benign prostate conditions. For men, being vigilant of changes in urination habits can go a long way toward detecting prostate cancer in its early stages.

Common symptoms of prostate cancer include:

• Frequent urination
• Increased urination at night
• Difficulty starting and maintaining a steady stream of urine
• Blood in the urine
• Painful urination
• Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis that does not dissipate
• Pain with ejaculation
• Difficulty having an erection
• Swelling in the legs

For men experiencing symptoms, some may believe they are suffering from some benign condition when they are actually suffering from prostate cancer, and vice versa. While most of these signs are usually triggered by some condition that is both noncancerous and non-life threatening, it is important to speak with your doctor about the possibility of prostate cancer if any of these symptoms appear. A delayed diagnosis of prostate cancer may result in the cancer reaching an advanced stage, making it more difficult to treat.