Most men will experience an enlarged prostate. If you live long enough, it’s virtually guaranteed that this gland will grow through the years. By the time men reach age 80, 90% of them have an enlarged prostate.
You’ll be glad to know, then, that an enlarged prostate doesn’t directly lead to cancer. That said, the symptoms of an enlarged prostate are similar to those of prostate cancer. As a result, it’s important to track your symptoms and get regularly screened for prostate cancer.
Abraham Woods, MD, can help with both here at the Center for Urology in Altamonte Springs, Florida. As a specialist in enlarged prostates, he offers options to reduce your symptoms. He also performs prostate cancer screening as well as treatment when needed.
Ultimately, if you have a prostate, there are some things you should know. Paired with care from Dr. Woods, understanding prostate enlargement can help to keep you symptom- and cancer-free.
Prostate growth is normal
In many cases, your prostate grows because of a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Note “benign” in the name there, indicating that this condition is non-cancerous.
Because your prostate surrounds your urethra — the tube that carries urine out of your body — its growth can create urinary challenges. Specifically, men with BPH usually experience symptoms like:
- More frequent urination, especially at night
- Difficulty emptying the bladder fully
- A slow or weak urine stream
- Blood in the urine
Fortunately, Dr. Woods offers BPH treatment to minimize these symptoms.
It’s important for you to pay attention to your body and note if the changes in your urination come with other symptoms. Prostate cancer can also cause trouble urinating. It usually comes with other symptoms, as well, including:
- Lower back pain
- Pain when ejaculating
- Erectile dysfunction
- Blood in the semen
Ultimately, urinary changes likely mean your prostate is growing. That doesn’t necessarily mean cancer is to blame — but it could. That’s why it’s important to talk to Dr. Woods about differences you notice over time.
Getting screened for prostate cancer
Here at the Center for Urology, Dr. Woods can determine if your symptoms stem from something noncancerous like BPH, from prostate cancer, or from something else.
With a range of exams and tests, he can diagnose what’s going on with your prostate. From there, he tailors the appropriate treatment to you, whether that’s a minimally invasive technique to address BPH or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
To learn what’s causing your enlarged prostate — and to get relief from your symptoms — call the Center for Urology at our office Monday through Friday, or book your consultation online anytime.