Frequent urination may be sign of prostate cancer, says PGI doc

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, August 29

Nearly two out of every five Indian men have bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer.

Dr Santosh Kumar, Professor, Urology, PGIMER, said prostatic diseases were common among ageing men causing significant morbidity. The quality of life got hampered as prostate enlargement could cause lower urinary tract symptoms. The BPH is defined by at least microscopic excessive growth, which over a period translates into the gross enlargement of the gland visible to the naked eye. It begins before 30 years and approximately 8 per cent of men have at least microscopic BPH by 40 years, 50 per cent by 60 years and 90 per cent by 90 years of age.

The prostate goes through two main growth period with age. The first occurs early in puberty when the prostate doubles in size. The second phase of growth begins around 25 years and continues during most of a man’s life. The BPH often occurs in the second phase. Patients with BPH/prostate cancer commonly complain of frequent urination at night, difficulty in passing urine, incomplete emptying of the bladder. 

To cope with these symptoms, the patient starts restricting water and other fluid intake and being conscious of his urination, for example, being on the look out for toilet location wherever he goes, urinating before going on long trips, where he may not have access to loos such as on a long-distance bus journey. These coping strategies further restrict the patient’s quality of life.

If left untreated, the urinary problems might lead to obstruction of the urinary tract and affect prostate health. It is critical to consult your urologist and not shy away from the issue. Prostate cancer can obstruct kidney and can lead to renal failure.

According to Dr Santosh, “Patients are largely unaware of this condition despite high prevalence rate as they consider it a normal part of ageing, which can be rectified through a targeted patient awareness campaign.”

Symptoms of prostate cancer

• Urge to urinate often, feeling that the bladder is full even after urinating, weak urine flow, dribbling of urine, need to stop and start urinating several times, trouble starting to urinate, need to push or strain to urinate
• If left untreated, the urinary problems might lead to obstruction of the urinary tract and affect prostate health. It is critical to consult your urologist and not shy away from the issue. Prostate cancer can obstruct kidney and can lead to renal failure.