Prostate Problems by Ann Amos

Prostate Problems

By Ann Amos

I decided to write this in an attempt to help any of you guys with prostate issues as it is a big problem for some men as they get older and sadly there is no screening for prostate cancer. I am no expert but I am basing this on what I have learned and through my husband’s personal experience of prostate cancer.

This paragraph is NOT about cancer but as a man gets older, his prostate usually becomes larger (Benign prostatic hyperplasia) and most of this enlargement takes place after the age of 50 sometimes causing urinary problems (poor stream, dribbling of urine and incomplete emptying etc). This is because the prostate surrounds the tube from the bladder (urethra) and as the prostate enlarges, it causes restriction. There is a very successful and common operation to correct this called a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate) or sometimes drugs may be used if the condition isn’t too bad.

If a man goes to the GP with urinary related problems a PSA blood test will normally be done. This determines the amount of Prostate Specific Antigen in the blood and, if the reading is extremely high, it normally indicates that cancer is present (but not always). A digital examination and a biopsy usually confirm whether cancer is present or not and, if it is, effective treatment can begin (the actual removal of the prostate is only usually done in younger patients).

Radiotherapy and hormone treatment is usually very successful in treating prostate cancer. The radiotherapy shrinks the tumour and the hormone treatment (usually 3 monthly tiny implants of Zoladex in the abdomen) greatly reduces the testosterone which is what causes the cancer to grow. 6 monthly PSA blood tests indicate how things are progressing.

This is just a brief outline of what it’s all about so I would urge any of you blokes with worries to see the GP as soon as possible because the help is there for you if needed. Also, if anyone wishes to discuss any problems with me then by all means send me a personal message. As said before, I am no expert but I might be able to answer questions or point you in the right direction.