7 Important Facts Every Man Should Know About the Prostate

The next time you talk to your father, uncle, or any man over 60, try asking them about their prostate health. If they’re comfortable enough to share, you might hear about the common prostate issues they’ve experienced or are likely to face. That’s because conditions like benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostatitis, and even prostate cancer are common concerns for men as they age.

Here are seven key facts every man should know about the prostate:

1. Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men.
   Prostate cancer ranks among the top cancers affecting men, with rates comparable to how often women experience breast cancer. Despite its prevalence, it doesn’t receive the same attention, possibly because men are often less comfortable discussing health issues related to their reproductive organs (Siegel, Miller, & Jemal, 2020).

2. What is the prostate?
   The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut, located below the bladder and wrapped around the urethra. It plays a key role in male reproductive health by adding fluid to sperm during ejaculation (American Cancer Society, 2023).

3. Most men don’t think about their prostate until something goes wrong.
   Because the prostate is an internal organ, many men don’t even realize its existence—until they experience a problem. When prostate issues arise, men quickly become familiar with where it is and what it does (American Urological Association, 2022).

4. Prostate problems aren't just for older men.
   Although prostate issues become more common with age, younger men aren't immune. Prostatitis, a painful inflammation or infection of the prostate, can affect men under 50. Symptoms include fever, painful urination, and fatigue (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, 2017).

5. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is the most common prostate issue for men over 50.
   BPH, or an enlarged prostate, is a non-cancerous condition affecting many older men. While it can cause uncomfortable symptoms, it’s not life-threatening and is much more common than prostate cancer, which can provide some peace of mind (Barry, 2018).

6. The symptoms of BPH can be disruptive.
   Men with BPH may experience a range of urinary symptoms, such as a weak urine stream, difficulty starting urination, dribbling after urinating, or even traces of blood in the urine (National Institute on Aging, 2020).

7. BPH and prostate cancer can have overlapping symptoms.
   Though BPH is more common, it’s important for men to keep an eye out for signs of prostate cancer since the symptoms can be similar. While not every man with an enlarged prostate will develop cancer, monitoring any changes in urinary or prostate health is crucial (Carroll et al., 2022).

Understanding these key facts can help men stay proactive about their prostate health and seek medical advice if they notice symptoms. Regular checkups are essential, especially as men age, to catch potential problems early and manage them effectively.

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References

American Cancer Society. (2023). Prostate cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostate-cancer.html

American Urological Association. (2022). Understanding prostate health. https://www.auanet.org/

Barry, M. J. (2018). Benign prostatic hyperplasia. BMJ, 336(7647), 146-149. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.39455.439517.BE

Carroll, P. R., Parsons, J. K., Andriole, G., Bahnson, R. R., Barocas, D. A., Castle, E. P., ... & Mohler, J. L. (2022). Prostate cancer early detection, version 2.2019, NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, 17(4), 479-505. https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2019.0018

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2017). Prostatitis. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/prostatitis

National Institute on Aging. (2020). Prostate problems. https://www.nia.nih.gov