Prostate Problems Aren’t Always Cancer

Some men are put off having a prostate check by the idea that if anything is wrong with their prostate, it will be the dreaded ‘Big C’. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Of course incontinence, erectile dysfunction and painful ejaculation are all embarrassing to talk about. Again, many men suffering from these symptoms put off a visit to the doctor hoping that the problem will go away. In fact, these could all be signs of prostate cancer. Equally, though, they may be symptoms of other problems that can be easily addressed.

There are a number of problems that can affect the prostate and more generally the urinary system. While a prostate check could save your life if it does turn out to find cancer at an early and easily treatable stage, it may also find one of a number of other problems.

Older men may find they suffer from the frequent urge to urinate owing to BPH – benign prostatic hyperplasia. The prostate gland naturally becomes bigger as you age, but after a certain point the gland can start to press against the urethra (the duct through which urine is emitted from the bladder). This causes the wall of the bladder to become thicker and means it has to be emptied more often. It may also cause dribbling after urination. It needs to be treated, or it can result in infection of the urinary tract. Fortunately, drugs can often solve the problem, though in some cases surgery is required.

Prostatitis is simply an inflammation of the prostate gland. Again, it can cause painful, difficult or over-frequent urination. Often, it is caused by a bacterial infection and can be simply treated with drugs, though there are a few varieties of prostatitis that are more difficult to treat.

Even if a tumor if found on the prostate gland, it may be a benign tumor, which is harmless, and will not spread into other parts of the body or affect the tissues surrounding the gland. It isn’t cancerous, and is not a threat to life. However, surgery still might be suggested as a wise move if it is likely to cause difficulties, for instance by pressing on the urethra.

Urinary problems can also be connected with a number of other diseases. For instance a sexually transmitted disease such as chlamydia might be involved. Painful or frequent urination might also be a symptom of diabetes.

Men who have urinary problems should therefore be sure to get a medical check carried out as soon as possible. In most cases, the diagnosis will not be prostate cancer – but in nearly all cases, the earlier the issue is addressed and treatment is begun, the better. In some cases, such as BPH, if treatment is not carried out early enough, the condition is likely to become more serious and infection may occur.

In men under 50, it’s more likely that any urinary issues are related to some other disease. Men under that age have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but it is not common – the average age of diagnosis, in fact, is 72.

And if the diagnosis is prostate cancer? That’s not good news – but if it is caught early, the prognosis is good. Early treatment of prostate cancer gives an extremely good chance of survival, particularly if the cancer is diagnosed before it has spread to any other parts of the body.

That’s why getting checked out is important. Regular prostate checks are advised for men over 50 – whether that’s through the PSA blood test or through a rectal examination. Remember, a prostate check could save your life.

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