Is Frequent Urination a Symptom of Prostate Cancer?

In short, yes, frequent urination can be a sign of prostate cancer. But don’t panic; several conditions can cause this symptom – most of which are not cancer. First, consider what’s normal for you. It can vary from person to person and change based on the amount and timing of fluid intake.

If you feel that you're urinating excessively, it's important to discuss your concerns with your doctor so they can determine if and what kind of treatment you may need.

Reasons For Frequent Urination

Typically, most men urinate seven to eight times a day, including up to two times at night. However, if you find yourself visiting the restroom every 30 - 60 minutes, and this is more often than usual, then you’re likely experiencing frequent urination.

Before becoming concerned, consider a few things that could be the root cause:

• Do you consume a large amount of fluids throughout the day?

• Do you drink caffeinated beverages more than other types of fluid? Caffeine dehydrates you by causing you to use the bathroom more often.

• Are you taking medications designed to decrease the amount of fluid in your body? This is common especially for high blood pressure.

• Have you ever been told you’re pre-diabetic? Diabetes can cause excessive thirst and urination and could be the cause of urinating more often.

Many individuals notice increased urination by using the restroom more frequently at night. While it’s normal to urinate more often at night as you age, it shouldn’t cause you to lose sleep. Men in their forties and fifties may only need to urinate once a night, if at all. Men in their sixties and seventies may need to urinate twice a night, with the frequency increasing with age. However, these are averages, and your personal urination frequency may differ.

If you notice a sudden change in your daytime bathroom visits without any changes in your habits or if waking up to urinate disrupts your sleep, there may be an underlying issue. Some of the conditions related to frequent urination include:

• BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) - an enlarged prostate. This is a non-cancerous condition.

• Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland. This is often a bacterial infection that can be treated with antibiotics.

• Prostate cancer - while frequent urination can be a symptom, there are other symptoms you should be aware of.

Don’t Ignore Potential Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Men with prostate cancer may not always experience obvious symptoms. However, when symptoms do occur, they are typically associated with the urinary system. It is important to consult your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Frequent urination, especially at night

• Weak or interrupted urine flow

• Pain or burning sensation during urination

• Difficulty initiating or stopping urination

• Presence of blood in the urine or sperm

• Feeling of not fully emptying the bladder even after urinating

Some prostate cancer patients may also experience pain around the prostate while sitting, new pain or swelling in the lower body (especially in the back or hips), or unusual bowel habits. Some men may also have pain or burning sensations during ejaculation.

Although these symptoms can be related to a number of conditions, it is best to see your doctor to make sure that your symptoms aren't caused by prostate cancer.

The risk of prostate cancer increases with age, especially after 65. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, particularly if your father or brother has had it, you may be at a higher risk. If you are concerned about your risk, consider discussing prostate cancer screening options with your doctor, who may recommend that you get screened before you reach the age of 50.

Determining What’s Causing Frequent Urination

If you are experiencing chronic symptoms of frequent urination, it is important to see your primary care doctor or a urologist for an examination. Frequent urination does not always mean you have prostate cancer.

To help your doctor determine the cause of your frequent urination, try to provide the following information:

• Duration of your symptoms

• Your prescription history, including current, new, or previous medications

• Presence of leg swelling

• Any new or unusual snoring

• Whether frequent urination occurs during the day or night

• Changes in the amount and type of fluids you consume, including alcohol and caffeinated beverages

• Any history of pre-diabetes

The more information you can provide your doctor, the easier it will be to make an accurate diagnosis and provide treatment if necessary.

Your doctor may conduct a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test to assess your situation and determine whether your frequent urination is a sign of prostate cancer. The results of these tests, especially when compared to previous PSA test results, will alert your doctor whether further testing, such as a prostate MRI or prostate biopsy, is necessary.

Next Steps After a Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

If a biopsy is recommended, a pathologist will examine the prostate tissue samples under a microscope to assess the presence of cancer, as well as its extent and aggressiveness. Most men with prostate cancer have a slow-growing form of the disease that may not require immediate treatment. When caught at an early stage, prostate cancer can often be safely monitored with watchful waiting.

Your personalized treatment plan will depend on various factors such as your age, prostate cancer stage, and lifestyle. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available for prostate cancer, including radiation therapy and hormone therapy, which may allow many men to avoid surgery. For men whose prostate cancer has recurred after previous treatment, there are also new advanced treatment options available.

Prostate Cancer Treatment in Brevard County, Florida

If you've been diagnosed with prostate cancer, your urologist will work with an oncologist who specializes in treating cancer to create the right plan for you.

Cancer Care Centers of Brevard has a multidisciplinary cancer treatment team that will work with you to determine the most effective treatment plan. Our centers serve the Brevard County area, including Melbourne, Merritt Island, Rockledge, and Palm Bay, FL.

We also provide second opinions for prostate cancer. In most cases, there is time available before treatment needs to start. Use this time to evaluate your options and select the cancer care team that makes you most comfortable.

Categories: Prostate Cancer