Compared with most cancers, prostate cancer tends to grow slowly. It may be decades from the time of the earliest cell changes detected under a microscope until the cancer causes symptoms. Early prostate cancer often doesn't exhibit any symptoms so regular examinations are especially important. When symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Frequent urination
• Difficulty starting or stopping urination
• Inability to urinate
• Weak or interrupted flow of urine
• Painful or burning urination
• Painful ejaculation
• Blood in urine or semen
• Persistent pain in lower back, hips, upper thighs