The detection of Al’s prostate cancer began with a routine physical when his doctor discovered he had an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in his bloodwork. That led to him getting an MRI, followed by a biopsy, to confirm his diagnosis.

“When he started, he closed his door and said, ‘I always like to have these discussions face to face,'” Al said. “And I was like, ‘Uh-oh. Well, that doesn’t sound good.'”

The father of three confessed, “You hear the word ‘cancer’ and your mind goes, it’s the next level, you know?”

Detection is key for anyone who may be diagnosed with prostate cancer, especially Black men.

Knowing the symptoms is also key to even thinking that you should get checked in order for it to be detected.

Symptoms

Urinary Symptoms

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night
• Difficulty starting urination or holding back urine
• A weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning urination
• Hematuria (blood in the urine)
• Erectile and Ejaculatory Symptoms
• Difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in the semen
• Decreased volume of ejaculation (though hydration, diet and frequency of ejaculation are more likely than prostate cancer to impact the volume of fluid)
• Lower Extremity Symptoms
• Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips or upper thighs
• Swelling in the lower extremities

If a patient experiences bone pain and swelling in the lower extremities—especially when accompanied by urinary, erectile or ejaculation dysfunction—these could be symptoms of advanced prostate cancer.

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