Prostate cancer: Boys, feel free to flinch. You don't want to have prostate problems, let alone the cancer.
Nevertheless, most men know that risks lurk, often showing their true form increasingly with each birthday. Many don't know they have problems -- or don't wish to know until it's too late to treat them.
The most common problem is lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or obstruction in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Surveys in the United States show that over 50 percent of men over 60, and 90 percent of men over 70 show symptoms of BPH.
""Prostate size and prostate symptoms increase with age,"" Dr. Damian J.C. Png, a Singaporean urologist, explained in a one-day seminar in Jakarta last week.
He said that among males in their 40s, about 40 percent have an enlarged prostate, while among males in their 80s, about 80 percent have a similar problem.
An enlarged prostate presses the bladder; therefore, males with an enlarged prostate have urinary symptoms like frequency, hesitancy, straining incomplete emptying or dribbling.
Calling himself a ""plumber"", Damian said that doctors grouped obstruction into three stages: mild, moderate and severe.
""For males who don't have urinary symptoms, their urine flow looks like a nice mountain,"" he said, showing flow tables.
When men get older they also have post-void residual urine. The milder the problem, the less residual urine they have.
Dr. Damian, who practices ""plumbing"" at Pacific Health Medical Center at Orchard Road, Singapore, mentioned several therapies to treat obstruction.
For mild obstruction, he said phytotherapy (consuming, for example saw palmetto extract) was popular in Europe and the U.S.
""Muscle relaxation therapy is also a standard treatment for obstruction,"" he said at the seminar held by Pacific Health Holdings and Healthy Choice in Kemang, South Jakarta.
""Hormone therapy is effective. However, few men want to take this, because of the side effects; erectile dysfunction, decreased libido and decreased ejaculation,"" he said.
He added that for older men in their 70s, they would probably not mind taking this therapy.
For severe LUTS, surgery like prostatectomy is also another option.
A more scary problem is prostate cancer. Unlike LUTS, prostate cancer does not usually show early symptoms until you have it.
But be alert if you have some of these symptoms: Painful or burning sensation when passing urine; painful ejaculation; blood in urine or semen; discomfort or pain in the lower back, upper thighs, buttocks area or along one side of the penis; severe incontinence of urine; or discharge from the urethra.
Although those may not be indicative of prostate cancer, it is best for you to see your doctor without delay.
LUTS and cancer are different problems. But some cases show that a man could have both at the same time. However, having LUTS does not mean you will have cancer.
Dr. Damian said that 70 percent of cancer cases were asymptomatic. Therefore he advised men to have a blood test to assess their prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and a digital rectal exam at age 50. If they have relatives who had prostate cancer or breast cancer, it was better to have the test at age 40, Dr. Damian added.
Addressing health issues, especially the prostate, can be a devastating prospect for most people.
However, ignoring it while technology provides the possibility of early detection and effective cure, is no longer an option for men with awareness.
