Remember finding out or reading stories of people talking about their prostate problems? Some even passed away because they didn’t pay much attention to it. A vast majority of men probably don’t even know about prostate or prostate cancer or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Is it dangerous to one’s health? Is this ailment exclusive to men?
According to Dr. Jeff Jubilado, Chief of Clinics at the Pasig Doctors Medical Center and Assumption Specialty Hospital and Medical Center, Department Chair for Urology at the Marikina Valley Medical Center, and Medical Affairs Manager (Urology) of GSK Philippines, BPH, in its simplest terms, is the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate.
He said BPH manifests with a myriad of symptoms that can cause problems with urination. “It is a progressive disease and, if left untreated, may lead to complications such as inability to urinate, recurrent urinary tract infection [UTI], kidney disease. Patients may also end up with surgery,” Dr. Jubilado explained.
A disturbing reality about BPH is that it also affects many aspects regarding the quality of life of men. He pointed to three factors like frequent toilet visits can affect sleep for men and their partner. His social life can also be limited by the need to have easy toilet access. And perhaps, more disturbingly for many men, BPH may mean decreased sexual activity, which has been reported by partners of men with prostate disease.
No statistics
Currently, there are no statistics or data about Filipinos with BPH, according to Dr. Jubilado. However, he mentioned a 1997 study that included the Philippines, which stated that the prevalence of symptomatic men in Asia are 18 percent among the 40-45-year-old males, 29 percent for those aged 50-59 years, 40 percent for 60-69 years old, and 56 for those 70-79 years of age.
But contrary to what some men think that BPH is similar to prostate cancer, BPH is definitely not, although both conditions can manifest with similar symptoms.
Among these symptoms, Dr. Jubilado said, are frequent urination, urgency, night-time urination, weak urinary stream, intermittent urination, having to strain when urinating and sensation of incomplete emptying. Other symptoms are inability to urinate and the presence of blood in the urine.
“That is why it is important for men 40 and above to have themselves assessed for urinary symptoms and consult a doctor to differentiate between BPH and prostate cancer.”
BPH is also different from UTI or urinary tract infection, which may also have similar symptoms as BPH but requires a different treatment. Antibiotics is usually given for UTI, whereas prostate medications are given for BPH, but these two conditions may also coexist.
Target age
In terms of target age for BPH, Dr. Jubilado revealed that genetics may also play a role as sons of men with BPH are more likely to develop it as well. “Older age and testosterone are also linked but may not be the cause. Currently, the causes of BPH are not well understood. As such, it’s still not definite why only men of a certain age develop BPH.”
When asked about some symptoms of BPH such as frequent urination, which is also a symptom for diabetes, Dr. Jubilado said frequency is only one of the symptoms of BPH. He advised that if the patient has any of the other symptoms, then it would be best to consult a doctor to differentiate between BPH and other causes like diabetes.
It is said that most men won’t go to the doctor and will always reason out that there’s nothing wrong with him, that he’s strong as a bull, etc. Dr. Jubilado, however, said that based on research, the reluctance to consult and seek help stem from a low awareness of BPH as a disease. Most patients, he said, attribute the symptoms as just a part of aging.
What many men don’t know is that BPH is treatable. Treatment is usually categorized into conservative treatment (includes behavioral and dietary modification), pharmacological (medication with one or a combination of drugs), and surgical. “There are a lot of innovations in terms of surgical treatment like laser, robotics, among others. There are also studies that show the reduction in the risk for urinary retention [inability to urinate] and BPH-related surgery with appropriate treatment.”
To generate awareness about BPH and how men should have themselves checked for earlier symptoms, GSK Philippines, Dr. Jubilado said, came up with the “Love My Prostate” campaign, which aims to educate the public about BPH, its symptoms and how it affects the quality of life of men and their families.
He said the campaign’s main goal is for men to consult their doctor in order to manage their condition. Patients can go to www.lovemyprostate.com, where they will have access to information such as a free symptoms test to check the severity of their symptoms and a list of doctors nationwide who manage BPH that they can consult. The website also has a section on BPH to help them understand their condition.