Men’s Guide to Prostate Changes, Part 1: Introduction
Based on the “Understanding Prostate
Changes: A Health Guide for Men” page
of the
National Cancer Institute
website
Edited (with Introduction) by Dr. Don Rose, Writer,
Life Alert
--
This article discusses many prostate-related
topics, ranging from the basics (what it is) to information about prostate changes
that happen with age (common changes, how they are treated,
and what one needs to know about testing for prostate changes, including cancer).
Since negative changes become more likely the older we get,
this information is especially relevant for
senior citizens. (The article is broken up into five segments. This is part
1.) --Dr. Don Rose
--
Introduction to the Prostate
The
prostate is a
small gland, part of the male
reproductive system,
about the size and shape
of a walnut. It sits low in the
pelvis, below
the
bladder and just
in front of the
rectum. The prostate
surrounds part of the
urethra, a tube
that carries
urine out of the
bladder.
Since the prostate surrounds
the tube (urethra) that passes urine, this can be a source of problems as a man
ages because:
·
The prostate tends to grow bigger with age
and may squeeze the urethra, or
·
A
tumor can make the prostate
bigger.
These changes, or an infection,
can cause problems passing urine. Sometimes men in their 30s and 40s may begin to
have these
urinary symptoms
and need medical attention. For others, symptoms aren't noticed until much later
in life.
Be sure to tell your doctor
if you have any urinary symptoms – for example, if you:
•
Are passing urine more during the day
•
Have an urgent need to pass urine
•
Have less urine flow
•
Feel burning when you pass urine
•
Need to get up many times during the night to pass urine.
Growing older raises your
risk of prostate problems. The three most common prostate problems are:
·
Infection (prostatitis)
·
Enlarged prostate (
BPH, or benign
prostatic hyperplasia)
·
Prostate cancer.
One change does
not lead to another. For example, having prostatitis or an enlarged
prostate does not raise your chance of prostate cancer. It is also possible for
you to have more than one condition at the same time.
Resources
Cancer Information Service (toll-free)
Telephone: 1–800–4–CANCER (1–800–422–6237)
TTY: 1–800–332–8615
Online
NCI’s Web site:
http://www.cancer.gov
LiveHelp,
NCI’s live online assistance:
https://cissecure.nci.nih.gov/livehelp/welcome.asp
Medicare
For more information
about Medicare benefits, contact:
Toll-free ................1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227)
Online....................www.medicare.gov
National Kidney and Urologic
Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Toll-free
................1-800-891-5390
Online....................www.niddk.nih.gov
This article is based on the webpage “Understanding Prostate
Changes: A Health Guide for Men”
-- part
of the
National Cancer Institute
website. The information provided here is, to the best of our knowledge, reliable
and accurate. However, while Life
Alert
always strives to provide true, precise and consistent information, we cannot guarantee
100 percent accuracy. Readers are encouraged to review the original article, and
use any resource links provided to gather more information before drawing conclusions
and making decisions.
Dr. Don Rose writes books, papers and articles
on computers, the Internet, AI, science and technology, and issues related to seniors.
For more information about
Life Alert and its many services and benefits for seniors – available
in
New York
,
California
,
Florida
, and other states nationwide -- please visit the following
websites:
http://www.lifealert.com
http://www.seniorprotection.com
http://www.911seniors.com