Silent killer: Prostate cancer shows no signs until it’s late – Dr. Antwi

Medical practitioner Dr. Maxwell Antwi has cautioned men against ignoring changes in their urine and general health, noting that prostate cancer often develops silently and may only become noticeable when it has reached an advanced stage.

Speaking on Angel FM, Kumasi, Dr. Antwi explained that one of the most dangerous aspects of prostate cancer is the absence of symptoms in its early stages.

“Prostate cancer often shows no signs early on. By the time symptoms appear, it may have advanced in the body,” he stated.

According to him, difficulty in urination is one of the most common warning signs associated with the disease.

“One may have difficulty urinating,” he said.

He explained that affected individuals may notice a weak urine stream, with urine flowing slowly or even coming out in drops.

“There may be no strength when urinating; it might even come in drops,” he noted.

Dr. Antwi further indicated that frequent urination at night could be another sign that requires medical attention.

“Some people experience frequent urination during the night,” he added.

Other symptoms include interruptions during urination and an inability to empty the bladder.

“There may be stoppages in between urination,” he explained.

The doctor also highlighted urinary incontinence as a possible symptom, where individuals struggle to control their urine.

“Some people lose control over keeping their urine, while others do not even realize when they need to urinate,” he said.

According to him, some men may continue to leak urine even after finishing urination, leading to wet clothing.

“Others will have drops of urine coming out even after urinating, wetting their trousers,” he noted.

Dr. Antwi said prostate cancer can also affect the reproductive system, with some patients noticing blood in their semen.

“Some may have blood in their sperm,” he revealed.

Beyond urinary symptoms, the disease can have broader effects on the body, including unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite.

“One can lose weight and have no appetite,” he stated.

In more severe cases, patients may become completely unable to urinate, requiring urgent medical intervention.

“Some cannot urinate at all,” he warned.

Dr. Antwi added that advanced prostate cancer can spread to the bones, particularly the spine, causing debilitating pain and mobility challenges.

“Others experience severe back pain. It can affect the vertebrae and interfere with movement,” he explained.

He urged men, especially those aged 40 years and above, to undergo regular medical screenings and seek prompt medical attention whenever they experience any of these symptoms.

According to him, early detection remains one of the most effective ways of improving treatment outcomes and reducing deaths from prostate cancer.

-mynewsgh