Prostate Health: What Every Man Should Know After 40

The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut, located just below the bladder in men. Its main job is to produce fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Despite its small size, the prostate can cause significant problems as men age.

The two most common prostate conditions are benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that affects most men as they get older. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia causes urinary symptoms because the enlarged prostate presses on the urethra. Symptoms include a weak or slow urine stream, difficulty starting urination, needing to urinate frequently especially at night, and a feeling that the bladder is never fully empty. These symptoms are common but not inevitable, and they are very treatable.

Prostate cancer often has no symptoms in its early stages, which is why screening matters. A blood test called PSA can detect changes that may indicate cancer before symptoms develop. When caught early, prostate cancer is highly curable.

After the age of 40, it is worth having a conversation with your urologist about your prostate health, your PSA level, your family history, and whether screening is right for you. Do not wait for symptoms. Proactive care leads to better outcomes.