Prostate Health Essentials: What Every Man Should Know
Maintaining prostate health is a key part of men’s wellness, particularly with age. This small gland plays a vital role in urinary and reproductive function, but many men don’t think about their prostate until symptoms show up. Instead of waiting for a problem to develop, you can reduce your chance of developing prostate cancer and other prostate-related conditions by following a few prostate healthcare guidelines.
What Does the Prostate Do?
The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut and located just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra, which carries urine and semen out of the body. Its primary job is to produce seminal fluid, which helps nourish and transport sperm.
As men get older, the prostate often grows larger. This change is usually not cancerous, but it can lead to urinary issues such as frequent urges to go, difficulty starting or stopping urine flow, or pressure in the pelvic area. Being proactive about prostate health care can help reduce these effects.
What Are the Main Conditions That Can Affect the Prostate?
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer occurs when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably in the prostate gland. It’s the second most common cancer in men worldwide, and the risk increases with age. Early-stage prostate cancer often causes no symptoms, which is why routine screenings can be so important. Later-stage symptoms may include trouble urinating, blood in the urine, or pain in the hips or back.
Treatment depends on the stage and type of cancer and may involve active monitoring, surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy.
How Common Is Prostate Cancer?
According to the American Cancer Society, about one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their life. If you’re under 40, prostate cancer is very rare, but the risk increases with age. For example, 60% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, which may result from a bacterial infection or occur without a clear cause. It tends to affect men under 50 more often and can cause pain in the pelvic area, painful urination, or flu-like symptoms.
Treatment varies based on the cause. Bacterial prostatitis typically responds well to antibiotics, while chronic prostatitis may be treated with anti-inflammatory medications, pelvic floor therapy, or lifestyle changes.
How Common Is Prostatitis?
Prostatitis is very common among men between the ages of 30 and 50, with the urinary tract problem affecting 10 to 15% of the U.S. male population. For men under 50, prostatitis is the most common urinary tract problem, while it’s the third most common urinary tract problem for men over 50.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
BPH is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that often appears in men over 50. When the prostate presses on the urethra, it can slow or block urine flow. Symptoms may include frequent urination, especially at night, or a weak stream.
Treatment may involve medication to shrink or relax the prostate or procedures that help relieve urinary symptoms.
How Common Is BPH?
Since the prostate grows with age, BPH is quite common as well. Though it only affects 5% to 6% of men between 40 and 64, it impacts 29 to 33% of men who are 65 or older.
What Is Good for Prostate Health? 6 Prostate Health Tips
Add Foods for Prostate Health to Your Diet
Eating more plants and healthy fats may support prostate health. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and foods like fish and olive oil are linked to better health outcomes. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, contain anti-inflammatory compounds that may offer added benefits.
Lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, and pink grapefruit, has also been studied for its protective effect on prostate cells. Spicy foods, on the other hand, may irritate the bladder and worsen symptoms in men with prostatitis.
Ditch the Vitamin E Supplements
While vitamin E is important in small amounts, high doses may increase prostate cancer risk. The SELECT trial found that men who took 400 IU of vitamin E daily had a 17% higher risk of developing prostate cancer than those taking a placebo.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Being overweight is linked to more aggressive forms of prostate cancer. Although weight may not impact early-stage prostate cancer significantly, studies suggest it plays a role in disease progression. One 2022 study in the Journal of Translational Medicine also noted a connection between obesity and BPH. Metabolic changes associated with excess weight may also contribute to prostate enlargement.
Quit Smoking
Men who smoke face a higher risk of dying from prostate cancer. A 2023 study found that current smokers had a significantly higher likelihood of prostate cancer mortality than non-smokers. Smoking can also increase inflammation, which can worsen symptoms for those with prostatitis.
Prioritize Staying Active
Regular physical activity is one of the most effective ways to support prostate health naturally. Exercise can reduce the risk of BPH, alleviate chronic prostatitis symptoms, and lower the likelihood of prostate cancer.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity each week.
Receive Regular Screenings
Prostate cancer screenings play a key role in early detection. Talk to your doctor about when to start screening—often between ages 45 and 55 for average-risk men, and around age 40 for higher-risk individuals. Factors such as family history, race, and genetic mutations may warrant earlier testing.
Stay on Top of Your Prostate’s Health at Granville Health System
If you’re looking for prostate healthcare in Oxford, NC, or the surrounding area, Granville Health System can help. Our team at Granville Urology Associates provides compassionate, expert prostate health care in a convenient local setting. Whether you need a prostate cancer screening or treatment for an existing condition, we’ll ensure you get the care you need.
If you’re due for a checkup or have questions about how to keep your prostate healthy, make an appointment at Granville Urology Associates.
