Is my low urination stream a sign of prostate cancer?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have been having trouble with urination; the stream is weak, I have to strain to start, and I feel like I can not empty my bladder. My father was diagnosed with prostate cancer at 65, and now that I am approaching that age, I am getting concerned about these symptoms. I also wake up two to three times every night to urinate, which is new for me in the past six months.

My wife keeps telling me to get checked, especially since I have been avoiding my regular doctor visits. Could these urinary changes be signs of prostate problems, and what screening tests should I discuss with my doctor?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

First of all, the symptoms you have could be very typical UTI (urinary tract infection) symptoms, meaning they could simply be symptoms of a urinary tract infection. We can do a urine analysis, and it may show inflammation, and you can take antibiotics for it, and the issue will be solved very easily.

But since you already have a history of your father having prostate cancer, that is what caused the fear, worry, and stress for you. For you, it is not actually common at this age to develop prostate cancer. But to avoid this anxiety, we need to do a very simple test called PSA (prostate-specific antigen). We check its level.

If the level comes out high, then we will do further investigations and confirm whether there is prostate cancer or not. But if your PSA comes out low and normal, we will do a general urine test and continue treatment on the basis that it is a UTI, and we would not even put cancer into consideration at all. This can be considered a screening step for you.

I hope my answer is clear to you. If you have any questions at any time, I am at your service. Of course, I fully understand the fear and worry you have because your father had prostate cancer, but it does not necessarily mean that you also have the same risk.

I hope this information will help you.

Kindly follow up if you have any further concerns.

Thank you.