What are the symptoms for prostate cancer? Heres the thing you probably wont notice any.

Prostate cancer is not symptomatic until late, so screening is important, Dr. Michelle Yu, a urologic oncology fellow at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, told TODAY.

Symptoms of prostate cancer may include:

Yu said that by the time men notice such symptoms the cancer has likely spread to other parts of the body and will be a lot harder to treat. (Of course, some of these symptoms could be caused by other conditions.)

Cancer of the prostate develops when cells in the prostate, a gland thats important for male reproduction, grow abnormally. This type of cancer often progresses slowly.

One in nine men get it its incredibly common, said Dr. Rana McKay, an assistant clinical professor at University of California San Diego and a spokesperson for the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF). Because of the type of disease this is theres some stigma. We need to be raising awareness.

A lot of high-profile men have helped increase awareness of prostate cancer by coming forward with their own stories about screening, diagnosis and treatment.

Some high-profile men who've had prostate cancer include:

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The good news? Screening is easy and effective. The most important thing is screening, McKay said.

Prostate cancer is one of those diseases where early screening and early detection improves outcomes. The PCF reports that about 95% of prostate cancers are detected before the cancer has spread outside of the prostate.

And the survival rate from prostate cancers is 99% after five years. The good news is, the majority of people diagnosed with prostate cancer dont die of their disease, given the effectiveness of treatment, McKay said.

Your doctor can help evaluate your risk and recommend the best time to start screenings.

According to the PCF, screenings generally start at:

The number one thing men can do is to ask their doctor if they are eligible to be screened, McKay said.

To screen for prostate cancer, your doctor will perform a digital rectal exam (DRE). This test involves inserting a gloved finger into your rectum to feel for any irregularities in the prostate. The test might be uncomfortable, but its brief, and its an important step toward uncovering prostate cancer early.

Your doctor will also check your blood to measure prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSA levels go up when theres a problem with the prostate that problem could be prostate cancer, an infection or another condition.

What are causes of prostate cancer? Its not clear exactly. Genetics and environmental factors both play a role, McKay said. One in 10 men have a genetic predisposition for prostate cancer.

Diet, exercise and quitting smoking can help decrease your risk for developing prostate cancer. Choose a diet lower in fat and processed carbohydrates, and maintain a healthy body weight to help reduce your risk of developing more aggressive prostate cancer.

Also, some studies show that having sex frequently can lower your risk.

If your DRE shows an abnormality or your PSA has elevated numbers, your doctor will probably recommend a biopsy of the prostate and may recommend an MRI or other imaging studies as well.

If youre diagnosed with prostate cancer, you have a range of treatment options to consider based on your age, overall health and how early your cancer was caught the stages of prostate cancer vary depending on how it has advanced.

The treatment landscape is rapidly evolving, McKay said. In the last decade theres been the introduction of many more drugs that work better and make people live longer and live better.

Treatment options include prostate cancer surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormone treatment. Your doctor could also recommend active surveillance, which involves monitoring your cancer for signs that its progressing.

Ask your provider any questions, Yu said, and take charge of your own health discussion.

See more here:
Prostate cancer symptoms: The warning signs you need to know - TODAY

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