One in five ignore prostate problems

Golf enthusiast Terry Flynn is backing the Talk Prostate Health campaign – an initiative that aims to persuade men to seek advice on prostate problems.

When keen golfer Terry Flynn started noticing he was getting ‘caught short’ more often when out on the course he dismissed it as an inevitable sign of getting older.

It took the then 69-year-old four months of discomfort and embarrassment before he went to see his GP and was diagnosed with BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), more commonly known as an enlarged prostate.

Now 75, the retired sales manager from Manchester is backing the Talk Prostate Health campaign – an initiative that aims to persuade men to seek advice on prostate problems.

“I’m a typical British male, self-reliant and reserved about these things and so didn’t want to trouble my doctor with something I thought was just down to my age,” Terry said.

“But when you’re out for coffee with your wife or friends and you can’t make the 45 minute walk home or you have to avoid long car journeys to visit family, that’s when you realise it’s time to do something about it.”

Six years on, and with the condition under control, Terry says he’s glad he made the trip to his GP.

“I play golf a lot and have seen friends use makeshift toilets on the course more than once! Once you realise you’re not the only one suffering from BPH and see how common it is when you get over 50, the stigma falls away.

“So for goodness sake, if any of this sounds familiar to you, go see your GP!”

Enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a very common condition experienced by 50 per cent of men over the age of 50.

Despite this, nearly 70 per cent of those surveyed had never heard of BPH according to research revealed by herbal remedies manufacturer A.Vogel.

Dr Roger Henderson, a senior partner in a busy general practice in Shropshire, commented: “It can be tough to get men talking about their health in general, let alone when it relates to something so sensitive.

“In my experience there are three main reasons men delay coming forward: embarrassment, fear that it may be cancer or the belief it’s just a natural part of ageing and there’s nothing they can do. In fact there are plenty of steps they can take to make their lives better.

“BPH can have a significant effect on quality of life, affecting sleep, work, relationships and sex. If left untreated, it can result in complications such as bladder infections, acute or chronic urine retention, which can affect the kidneys, and hernia from straining.

“A visit to an informative website, such as the A.Vogel Enlarged Prostate Health Hub, can be a good initial step. Following that, a doctor can provide reassurance, a clear diagnosis and recommendations on treatment options, both prescription medications and natural alternatives, if appropriate.”

For more information on BPH / enlarged prostate or to check your symptoms, visit: http://www.avogel.co.uk/health/enlarged-prostate/bph/