Knowing Prostate Problems

The American Cancer Society reports skin and prostate cancers are the two most prevalent types among American men. The organization estimated 248,530 new cases and 34,130 deaths from prostate cancer in 2021.

If you were one of them, would you recognize the symptoms?

The prostate is located in a man’s pelvis below the bladder. The walnut-sized gland surrounds the urethra, the tube that takes urine out of the body. As part of the male reproductive system, the prostate’s primary function is the production of semen, the fluid that contains and carries sperm.

In most men, the prostate rarely causes problems until about age 40. Partly due to normal hormonal changes associated with aging, the older you are, the more likely you will develop prostate problems.

The most common prostate conditions include:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or an enlarged prostate, affects one-third of men older than 50 and up to 90% of men aged 85 and older. According to The Urologic Clinics of North America, 14 million men have BPH-related symptoms. As men age, their prostates tend to grow larger. This places pressure on the urethra, increasing the urge to urinate, yet also making urination difficult to start or stop and sometimes painful. Treatment options for BPH include medication, surgery or minimally invasive techniques to shrink the prostate, performed with lasers, radiofrequency energy or microwaves.

Prostatitis is the most common prostate disease diagnosed in men younger than 50. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the condition accounts for 8% of urology visits. Prostatitis is a type of inflammation often (but not always) the result of a bacterial infection. Symptoms may include pain in the back, pelvis or groin; burning; or a feeling of obstruction during urination. Treatment for prostatitis depends on whether bacteria are present in the urine. Bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics, while nonbacterial cases may be treated with anti-inflammatories and other medications.

Prostate cancer is a slow-growing disease that may be asymptomatic for many years. The American Cancer Society reports one in eight men is diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. After lung cancer, prostate cancer has the second-highest mortality rate (one in 41 men). When symptoms occur, they may include frequent, painful urination or pain in the lower back and legs. Routine screenings — the PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood test and digital rectal exam — can detect around 90 percent of prostate cancers in the early stages, when the cure rate is nearly 100 percent. Speak with your doctor about if and when prostate screening is right for you.

To protect your prostate health:

• Begin screenings by age 55. However, your doctor may recommend it earlier if you have a family history of prostate cancer. Johns Hopkins reports most prostate cancers manifest in men 55 to 69.
• Eat a healthy diet, including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke.
• If you already have an enlarged prostate, Harvard Health suggests avoiding fluid consumption before bedtime, trips and running errands. It also helps to urinate as soon as you feel the urge and schedule bathroom times.

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