34 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • JULY 4, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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Understanding Common Myths About Prostate Health
When it comes to your health, misconceptions
about treatment options and
their potential side eff ects can have a negative
impact on your overall wellbeing.
One common condition that is shrouded
by misinformation is benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH). Also known as
enlarged prostate, BPH is a non-cancerous
enlargement of the prostate that typically
occurs as men age causing bothersome
urinary symptoms such as a frequent
need to urinate day and night,
weak fl ow, diffi culty starting urination, an
urgent need to go, and other symptoms.
Th e condition aff ects more than 40 million
men in the United States alone with
more than 40 percent of men over 50
and 80 percent of men over 70 suff ering
from BPH.
However, some men and women are not
entirely familiar with available BPH treatment
options beyond medication, according
to surveys conducted by NeoTract,
Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Telefl ex
Incorporated and manufacturer of the
UroLift (r) System. Survey results show
that half of men diagnosed with BPH
reported their doctors informed them of
medication as a treatment for BPH, while
only 8 percent said their doctors spoke
with them about minimally invasive outpatient
treatment options.
“Medication is oft en the fi rst-line therapy
for enlarged prostate, but relief can be
inadequate and temporary,” said Gregg
R. Eure, M.D., F.A.C.S. of Urology of
Virginia and Eastern Virginia Medical
School, a paid consultant of NeoTract,
Inc. “Patients can experience headaches
or dizziness when taking BPH medication,
as well as other negative side eff ects
such as sexual dysfunction, oft en causing
them to quit taking BPH medication
altogether. Fortunately, there are alternative
treatments, like the UroLift System,
to medication for men with BPH that
can break the cycle of side eff ects caused
by medications, enhancing a man’s quality
of life without the risk of more invasive
surgery.”
Th e symptoms of BPH can cause loss
of productivity, depression and decreased
quality of life. In addition, if left untreated,
the condition can worsen over time
and lead to permanent bladder damage.
If you’ve been diagnosed with, or think
you might have BPH, understanding your
options and the potential impact on your
health and quality of life is the fi rst step in
treatment. Arm yourself with these facts
before scheduling time to consult with
your doctor:
Myth: BPH is linked to prostate cancer.
Fact: BPH is noncancerous and unrelated
to prostate cancer, but the symptoms
of BPH can greatly aff ect a man’s quality
of life.
Myth: Medication is the only fi rst-line
treatment for BPH.
Fact: Th ere are alternative treatments to
medication for men with BPH, including
the minimally invasive UroLift System,
which is clinically shown to rapidly
and eff ectively treat urinary symptoms
while preserving sexual function with no
instances of new onset, sustained erectile
or ejaculatory function. Results from
multiple studies of diverse patient populations
are consistent with data from the
randomized L.I.F.T. Study, demonstrating
the safety and eff ectiveness of the treatment
for patients with BPH in a realworld
setting.
Myth: Delaying treatment of BPH
doesn’t cause bladder damage.
Fact: If left untreated, BPH can worsen
over time and cause permanent bladder
damage.
Myth: Th ere are no minimally invasive
procedures available to treat BPH.
Fact: An option like the UroLift System
is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment
that can be performed in an offi ce
setting under local anesthesia in about
an hour. An alternative to medical therapy,
the treatment can relieve prostate
obstruction and open the urethra without
cutting, heating or removing prostate
tissue.
For more information about BPH treatment
options, or to fi nd a physician near
you that treats this common condition,
visit UroLift .com.
Courtesy Family Features
/WWW.QNS.COM
