Groin Pain And Prostate Cancer
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system, about the size of the walnut. It wraps around the tube that carries urine out of the bladder and grows are you age. If the prostate grows too big, it can cause health problems – and sometimes cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common diagnosed cancer in men behind skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 1 in 35 men will die from the disease. As men age, their risk of prostate cancer increases.
Groin pain or urination problems should not be taken lightly, considering the risks of prostate cancer. However, there are several prostate problems that are not associated with prostate cancer that can also cause groin pain:
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia – An enlarged prostate, this is very common in older men. BPH makes it difficult to urinate and increases the frequency in which men feel the need to urinate.
- Acute bacterial prostatitis – Beginning with a bacterial infection, this can cause fever, chills, or pain. It can cause painful urination or blood in the urine.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis – A recurring infection, this is rare and requires antibiotics.
- Chronic prostatitis – Or Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome, this is a common prostate issue that causes pain the lower back, groin area, or tip of the penis. It causes painful ejaculation or the urge to urinate frequently.
Symptoms of prostate cancer can be similar to the conditions above. They include:
- Trouble passing urine
- Frequent urge to urinate
- Interrupted urine stream
- Blood in urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
- Pain in the back, hips, or pelvis can be a sign of advanced prostate cancer
Some men with testicular cancer report feeling a heavy, aching feeling in the low stomach, scrotum, or testicles. They described it as a feeling of downward pulling or an ache. If prostate cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, you may experience discomfort in the pelvis or swelling in the legs. Any pain in the general groin, low stomach, or upper thigh region should be taken seriously.
When To See A Doctor
Though slight groin pain may not seem like anything to worry about, if it persists and is not getting better, you should see a doctor. Groin pain can mean many things, one of which is prostate cancer. The earlier any of these conditions are caught, the easier they are to treat.
Prostate Cancer Treatments
Depending on the stage of prostate cancer, there are several ways a doctor might treat it, including active surveillance, surgery, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy.