4 tips for coping with an enlarged prostate When a man reaches about age 25, his prostate begins to grow. This natural growth is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and it is the most common cause of prostate enlargement. BPH is a benign condition that does not lead to prostate cancer, though the two problems can coexist. Get your copy of 2019 Annual Report on Prostate Diseases   Most men eventually develop some type of prostate problem, and when they do there are usually no easy solutions. More than a primer on prostate conditions, this Special Health Report, the Annual Report on Prostate Diseases, includes roundtable discussions with experts at the forefront of prostate research, interviews with men about their treatment decisions, and the latest thinking on complementary therapies. This report will provide you with the information you need to understand the current controversies, avoid common pitfalls, and work with your doctor to make informed choices about your prostate health. Although 50% to 60% of men with BPH may never develop any symptoms, others find that BPH can make life miserable. The symptoms of BPH include: a hesitant, interrupted, weak urine stream urgency, leaking, or dribbling a sense of incomplete emptying more frequent urination, especially at night. As a result, many men seek treatment. The good news is that treatments are constantly being improved. Patients and their physicians now have more medications to choose from, so if one doesn't do the trick, another can be prescribed. And thanks to some refinements, surgical treatments are more effective and have fewer side effects than ever before. But there are some things men dealing with BPH can do on their own. When symptoms are not particularly bothersome, watchful waiting may be the best way to proceed. This involves regular monitoring to make sure complications aren't developing, but no treatment. For more troubling symptoms, most doctors begin by recommending a combination of lifestyle changes and medication. Often this will be enough to relieve the worst symptoms and prevent the need for surgery Tips for relieving BPH symptoms Four simple steps can help relieve some of the symptoms of BPH: Some men who are nervous and tense urinate more frequently. Reduce stress by exercising regularly and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation. When you go to the bathroom, take the time to empty your bladder completely. This will reduce the need for subsequent trips to the toilet. Talk with your doctor about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you're taking; some may contribute to the problem. Your doctor may be able to adjust dosages or change your schedule for taking these drugs, or he or she may prescribe different medications that cause fewer urinary problems. Avoid drinking fluids in the evening, particularly caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Both can affect the muscle tone of the bladder and stimulate the kidneys to produce urine, leading to nighttime urination. For more on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate diseases, read the Annual Report on Prostate Diseases from Harvard Medical School. Image: iStock Share this story:

In search of better ways to find and treat prostate cancer Biomarkers are molecular signatures of both normal and abnormal processes in the body. Here is a more formal definition proposed by a "definitions" working group associated with the National Institutes of Health: "A characteristic that is objectively measured and evaluated as an indicator of normal biologic processes, pathogenic processes, or pharmacological responses to a therapeutic intervention." Proteins, fragments of proteins, enzymes, DNA, the RNA molecules that "read" DNA—they all can serve as biomarkers. Blood is an ideal source material because it's easy to collect and examine, but biomarkers can also be found in other body fluids, like urine, and in tissue itself. Biomarkers can inform decisions before, during, and after treatment. More and better biomarkers are needed for many medical conditions but especially for prostate cancer. Too many screenings result in biopsies that might have been avoided. Too many cancers are treated that didn't need to be because they weren't likely to cause any harm. For men who do have prostate cancer that would benefit from treatment, a fuller menu of biomarkers could make it possible to tailor treatment to a man and his cancer so that the therapy becomes more effective. With rapid advances in analytical methods, the number of newly identified bio- markers for prostate cancer is growing steadily. At least a dozen companies are working on bringing tests for new biomarkers to market. Some of them are designed to improve cancer diagnosis and others to predict which cancers are fast-growing and in need of aggressive therapy. If ultimately successful, they could potentially transform how prostate cancer is detected, diagnosed, and treated. Ideally, they would reduce the frequency of biopsies among men who don't have prostate cancer and help to limit the emotional and financial burdens of widespread screening with PSA. And one day, they may also pinpoint which diagnosed cancers do not need to be treated. For more on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, including more details and advice on the PSA debate, read the Annual Report on Prostate Diseases, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Share this story:

Featured in this issue

2019 Annual Report on Prostate Diseases Featured content: • A year of progress in prostate research • An introduction to the prostate gland • Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) • Prostate enlargement (benign prostatic hyperplasia) • Prostate cancer • A patient's perspective: One man’s experience with radiation cystitis following treatment for prostate cancer • SPECIAL SECTION: Biomarkers and genetic testing: Aids to diagnosis and treatment Click here to read more »