The prostate, a walnut-sized gland nestled below the bladder in men, plays a key role in the reproductive system. It produces a milky white fluid that nourishes and protects sperm as it travels through the urethra, the tube carrying urine out of the body. As men age, the prostate can undergo changes that can lead to various health concerns. An enlarged prostate can lead to a group of symptoms known as Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS), which warrant a visit to your doctor. These symptoms include increased frequency of urination, a sudden and strong need to urinate, waking up more frequently at night to pass urine, difficulty starting or maintaining a steady flow of urine, urine flow stopping and starting again during urination, having to push or strain to urinate, and a sense of incomplete evacuation of urine.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis. Early detection is crucial, especially for prostate cancer. Diagnostic tools used by doctors include the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE), where the doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to assess its size and consistency, the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Blood Test, which measures PSA levels in the blood, and the TRUS-guided Prostate Biopsy, where small tissue samples are taken from the prostate under ultrasound guidance and examined under a microscope for the presence of cancer cells.
