If you’ve been dropping pounds without changing your diet or exercise routine, your body might be waving a red flag. Unexplained weight loss can signal that prostate cancer has advanced to other parts of your body, particularly your liver. This happens because cancer changes how your body processes energy, leaving you feeling tired and weak even when you’re eating normally.
You might notice your appetite has decreased significantly, or food just doesn’t appeal to you the way it used to. While weight loss can have many causes, when it’s sudden and unexplained, it’s worth investigating – especially if you’re experiencing other symptoms on this list.
That Nagging Back Pain Isn’t Just Age
You’ve probably blamed your chronic lower back pain on poor posture, too much sitting, or just getting older. But if that ache has been persistent and isn’t responding to typical treatments, it could be your first sign of prostate cancer spreading to your spine.
When prostate cancer metastasizes, it often targets the bones, with the spine being the most common location due to its rich blood supply. This can lead to a condition called metastatic spinal cord compression, where cancer cells press against your spinal cord. If your back pain has been ongoing and traditional treatments aren’t helping, it’s time to ask your doctor about PSA testing.
Your Bathroom Habits Are Telling a Story
Pay attention to changes in your urination patterns – they’re often among the earliest signs something’s wrong. You might find yourself getting up multiple times during the night to urinate, even when you’ve limited your fluid intake before bedtime. Or you might notice that your urine stream has become weaker, almost like someone is pinching a straw.
These changes happen because an enlarged or cancerous prostate can press against your urethra, the tube that carries urine from your bladder. What starts as a minor inconvenience can progress to more serious urinary problems if left unchecked.
