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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): 101

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): 101

by | Mar 9, 2020 | urology news

Patients come to Z Urology for many different reasons. One reason they come is to deal with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), BPH s the most common prostate problem in men. It is called benign because it is noncancerous. Almost all men will develop some enlargement of the prostate as they age, but there are a number of treatments available. Here are some important facts to know when dealing with BPH.

How Common is Benign Prostate Enlargement (Hyperplasia)

Benign enlargement of the prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is the most common prostate problem in men. Almost all men will develop some enlargement of the prostate as they age.

What Group is Most Affected by an Enlarged Prostate

Overall, the number of men with BPH increases with age. By age 60, 50% of men will have some signs of BPH. By age 85, 90% of men will have signs of the condition. About half of these men will develop symptoms that need treatment.

 

Does Having BPH Increase Risk of Prostate Cancer

Based on research, having BPH does not seem to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. However, BPH and prostate cancer have similar symptoms, and a man who has BPH may have undetected cancer at the same time.

To help detect prostate cancer in its early stages, the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society recommend getting screened every year from 50 to 70. They also recommend that men who are at high risk, like African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer, begin screening at 40. Screening tests for prostate cancer include a blood test for a substance called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the digital rectal exam (DRE).

 

What are the Symptoms of BPH

Since the prostate gland surrounds the urethra, it is easy to understand that enlargement of the prostate can lead to blockage of the urethra. As a result, you may develop:

  • Frequent urination
  • Slowness or dribbling of your urinary stream
  • Hesitancy or difficulty starting to urinate
  • Feeling of urgency to urinate
  • Need to get up at night to urinate

 

If Symptoms Progress

The enlargement of the prostate can lead to blockage of the urethra which can lead to the following:

  • Bladder infection
  • Bladder stones
  • Blood in your urine
  • Damage to your kidneys from back pressure caused by retaining large amounts of extra urine in the bladder
  • Sudden blockage of the urinary tube, making urination impossible

 

How is BPH Diagnosed

To start, a doctor will look at your medical history and give a complete physical. The doctor will perform a digital rectal examination to feel the prostate. Because the prostate gland is in front of the rectum, it is relatively easy for the doctor to feel much of the gland. This enables the doctor to estimate the size of the prostate and to detect any hard areas that could be cancer.

 

How is BPH Treated

Patients with mild symptoms may not require treatment other than continued observation to make sure the condition doesn’t get worse. This approach is sometimes called “watchful waiting”. There are a number of treatment options available if your symptoms are severe:

Medication

Surgery

Minimally invasive treatments

If you have any thoughts or fears that you may have BPH, just pick up the phone and call Z Urology, with offices in South Florida. Call today!

Z Urology provides state-of-the-art urologic care in the South Florida area with a focus on both male and female urology. Our practice specializes in all urologic procedures, specifically, minimally invasive methods. Our three locations to choose from are located in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pompano Beach.

We at Z Urology specialize in bladder issues, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate issues, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, stone disease, BPH, male infertility, pyeloplasty, Peyronie’s disease, and ureteral reimplantation.

Prostate Cancer Death Rates Are on the Rise

Prostate Cancer Death Rates Are on the Rise

by | Feb 10, 2020 | urology news

prostateWhile most cancers are experiencing a drop in death rates, one of the most common cancers among men is not. According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer deaths are on the rise. Researchers estimate in 2020, the number of men who will die from prostate cancer will hit a record high over the last two decades.

Dr. Lee Ponsky is the chairman of urology at University Hospitals, and he noted that some of the reason for the spike in numbers comes from a misguided recommendation.

 

“A number of years ago the U.S. Preventative Task Force actually came out with a recommendation saying they do not recommend screening for prostate cancer,” he said.

 

The group has since changed the recommendation, but Dr. Ponsky said, in some ways, the damage was already done. Not screening patients can significantly lower survival rates. If men are screened and prostate cancer is detected at an early stage, the cure rate is around 99%, said Dr. Ponsky.

Screening is as simple as a blood test that monitors a prostate-specific antigen. Dr. Ponsky said testing is important because not everyone has symptoms. Many of his patients have no symptoms at all.

Prostate testing is now recommended for men around 45 years old, if they’re in a high-risk population, such as men who have a family history of prostate cancer or African American men.

Dr. Ponsky said another big reason for the uptick in death rates is that men, in general, don’t go to the doctor as much as they should for check-ups. He said there’s also a fear associated with what their test results will be.

If you think you may have any signs of prostate cancer, pick up the phone and call Z Urology, with offices in South Florida. Call today!

We provide state-of-the-art urologic care in the South Florida area with a focus on both male and female urology. Our practice specializes in all urologic procedures, specifically, minimally invasive methods. Our three locations to choose from are located in Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs and Pompano Beach.

We at “Z” specialize in bladder issues, erectile dysfunction (ED), prostate issues, urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, stone disease, BPH, male infertility, pyeloplasty, Peyronie’s disease, and ureteral reimplantation.