The
Prostate Health Programme
Prostate problems are a very common cause
of impaired health in middle-aged and older men. The prostate
is a sexual gland that undergoes benign enlargement in 50% of
men over age of 50 years. This can result in symptoms such as
having to get up frequently at night, poor urinary stream, difficulty
emptying the bladder and urgency in having to go to the toilet.
In extreme cases it can result in urinary infections, bleeding
into the urine, kidney damage and sudden retention of urine, requiring
catheterisation or surgery.
Prostate cancer is also on the increase, with 30,000 new
case being diagnosed, and 10,000 men dying each year in the UK.
While the benefits of screening are controversial, owing to difficulty
telling which tumours are 'tigers' and will advance rapidly, and
which are 'pussy-cats' and not life threatening, most people would
like the luxury of choice of management provided by early diagnosis.
The Men's Health Centre is launching a Prostate Health
Programme that aims not only to provide a detailed prostate
screen, but also to introduce a range of measures that may help
prevent further benign enlargement or malignant changes in the
gland. As well as a complete basic clinical assessment, non-invasive
ultrasound scanning and laboratory tests are carried out for the
early detection of prostatic disorders, and assessed by a Consultant
Urologist specializing in this area. A group of dietary supplements
that various studies suggest may be of benefit to the prostate
will be provided. These may be combined with advice on dietary
measures and life-style modifications designed to enhance sexual
performance and orgasm where necessary, and to improve general
well-being and resistance to disease.
The extensive range of tests not only provide a good picture of
a man's overall health, but will also show any hormonal imbalances
including testosterone which might contribute to prostate and
sexual health problems. We would be happy to provide you with
further information on this Prostate Health Programme if
required.
The important points about this programme are:
Prostate disorders
are a major cause of discomfort and disease in men over the age
of 50 years. Benign prostatic
enlargement is a very common condition, affecting 50% of men over
the age of 50 years. Prostatic
disorders can result in urinary frequency especially at night,
poor stream, difficulty in emptying the bladder, and urgency in
having to pass water. In extreme
cases it can result in urinary infections, kidney damage and sudden
retention of urine, requiring catheterisation or surgery. Prostate cancer
is on the increase, with 30,000 new cases being diagnosed, and
10,000 men dying each year in the UK With specialist
urological supervision, screening with a Prostate Specific Antigen
(PSA) blood test and Ultrasound Scanning can reveal the possibilty
of underlying prostate cancer, and with diagnosis and treatment
of early disease, an opprtunity for cure. There is increasing
evidence that the combination of supplements, diet and life-style
changes offered by the Prostate Health Programme could prevent,
or slow the progression of, both benign enlargement and cancer
of the prostate.
The programme
This programme consists of a range of investigations and interventions
designed to improve the condition of your prostate gland, a frequent
source of problems in men past mid-life, and improve your overall
fitness and health at the same time. The investigations include
a detailed history, questionnaires and full range of endocrine,
biochemical, and haematological blood tests, which together with
a rine test will be used to assess your general and particularly
prostate health, urinary function, and any hormone imbalances.
Ultra-sound studies will monitor the size and condition of your
prostate, and exclude abdominal abnormalities such as aortic aneurysm,
which affects 1 in 20 men over the age of 65. You will be given
copies and explanation of all the results.
The one hour consultation with our Specialist Consultant costs
£300, plus £175 for the full laboratory profiling. Based on this initial assessment, and your current life-style
and medical condition, you will be invited to take up some of
the following options, the results of which will be assessed after
3 months by repeating the tests:
Prostate Specific Supplements - Standard part of the programme
- (Provided at the Men's Health Centre - £75 for 3 months supply)
These are a mixture of mineral, vitamin and herbal supplements,
all of which have been shown individually to be of benefit to
the prostate and promote wellbeing.
Semen Specific Supplements - Optional part of the programme
- (Provided at the Men's Health Centre - £175)
These are a group of mainly herbal remedies of less well documented
benefit for those who wish to increase their semen volume and
intensity of orgasm.
Prostate Health Diet
Here you are offered a range of dietary options, emphasizing more
what you can add to what you already eat, such as fruit, berries,
tomatoes and soy products, rather than what you should take away,
to reduce weight, blood pressure and cholesterol, as well as promoting
prostate health.
Lifestyle Supplements
This is a tailor-made range of measures to help you reduce weight,
alcohol and stress, and get the right amount of exercise.
Prostate disorders
are a major cause of discomfort and disease in men over the age
of 50 years.