Ironwood Urology’s Blog

Growing older for men is usually accompanied by prostate issues. The most common problem is an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which causes issues with urinating. But the most serious problem is prostate cancer.

For men, aging presents a unique set of health issues – including an enlarged prostate. By age 60, nearly 50 percent of all men will have an enlarged prostate.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer diagnosed among men, other than skin cancer. Globally, 1.1 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. This type of cancer is usually slow progressing, but has the potential to spread quickly if left untreated. Therefore, it’s not only important for patients to have a discussion about any symptoms they are experiencing, but also about proper health care and screening going forward.

Your PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. PSA levels are important, as they can be used as a screening testing tool to determine whether a man has prostate cancer. Before, the PSA level test was only used to monitor men who had a history of prostate cancer, but with today’s technology things have changed.

September serves as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, putting the spotlight on the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men, and the second-leading cause of cancer death in men (behind only lung cancer).