European Prostate Awareness Day 2006 raises awareness about prostate diseases
ARNHEM, THE NETHERLANDS -- On 15 September 2006 the annual Prostate Awareness Day will be organised again. The purpose of this day is to make the public aware of the prostate and the conditions that may be affecting it. Regular screening can help detect prostate diseases at their earliest, most treatable stages. Men should be screened regularly for prostate cancer from the age of 50.
The prostate is a small gland that lies below the bladder and surrounds the upper part of the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen out through the penis). The prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid that mixes with sperm to form semen.
There are several conditions that may affect the prostate, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), acute and chronic prostatitis and prostate cancer. These conditions may cause similar symptoms, such as difficulty or pain in passing urine, frequent trips to the bathroom (especially at night) and having to rush to the toilet to pass urine (urgency).
Risk factors are:
- increasing age; as men get older, the risk increases. All men above the age of 50 should regularly be tested for the above conditions;
- family history; if a close relative has been diagnosed with prostate cancer the risk may be higher;
- African ancestry; prostate cancer is more common in black men than in white or Asian men;
- diet; a diet high in animal fat and low in fruit, vegetables and fish may increase the risk.
In several European countries the national urological society pays attention to this day by organising special activities focusing on prostate diseases. Their aim is to convince men over 50 to visit their urologist for regular screening. The European Association of Urology (EAU) supports these activities by providing promotional material.
For more information, please contact:
European Association of Urology
Ms. Lindy Brouwer
Communication Officer
T: +31 26 3890139
E: communicationoffice(at)uroweb.org
