Talking prostates

Abstract

Abstract

Background:

Prostate disease is a major issue for men's health, with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer ranking among the 10 most commonly diagnosed diseases in men over the age of 65 and accounting for a significant amount of ill health and impaired quality of life. Effective prevention, diagnosis and management of prostate disease are currently often hampered by the perception that they are the inevitable consequences of ageing and the misconception that there is little that can be done about them. Many men with symptoms suggestive of BPH fail to seek prompt medical attention.

Methods:

People were invited to ask questions anonymously about any aspect of prostate health via an easy-to-use, English-language website – yourprostate.eu. All questions were answered within 48 hours by a qualified healthcare professional. Those using the service were also asked about symptoms commonly occurring in BPH. Questions were analysed according to the types of issues raised, by age group and by whether or not the questioner had been diagnosed and was undergoing treatment.

Results:

A total of 357 questions were submitted to the website from August to December 2009. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the questioners reported having one or more symptoms commonly occurring in BPH, with nocturia being the most common, followed by frequency and urgency. Only 60% of those reporting symptoms had sought medical attention. The questions fell into five broad areas, with those on BPH being most frequent (108 questions), followed by sexual dysfunction/sexual function in general (82 questions), and genitourinary symptoms (65 questions). Many of the patients on treatment had questions about side-effects and other treatment options.

Conclusions:

This study, although small and opportunistic, provides unique insight into the issues about prostate health that are of concern to men in the general population. The fact that these men took the opportunity of asking a question suggests a need – and appetite – for more information on prostate disease. Education on prostate disease to meet this need should address the concerns raised, including BPH, sexual functioning, including dysfunction, and genitourinary symptoms. A relatively large proportion of men asking questions had symptoms of BPH, but, in line with previous studies, a significant number had not seen a health professional, further reinforcing the need for education on prostate disease and efforts to encourage men to seek medical help promptly.