Why men are reluctant to discuss their prostate health

About 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime and 1 in 44 will die from the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Yet a recent survey suggests nearly 40% of U.S. men would rather sit in traffic or watch their favorite sports team lose than talk about their prostate health. 

“Discussions regarding urinary symptoms and sexual health are very personal in nature and can sometimes make patients feel self-conscious,” says Dr. Aaron Sulman, a urologist at Aurora Health Care.  

What is the prostate‘s role? 

“The prostate gland is vital to men’s reproductive health and also supports functions like urination,” says Dr. Sulman. “It helps produce the fluid that carries sperm. So, the better it functions, the more effective the sperm is at reaching the ovaries during sexual activity. For this reason, proper prostate health plays a huge role in a man’s future.” 

If that’s the case, why are so many men unwilling to discuss their prostate health? One reason may be that the prostate isn’t really discussed during sex education. In fact, a U.K. study revealed 1 in 5 men didn’t even know they had a prostate. So, they may not know there is something indeed to talk about.  

“My experience is that patients aren’t actually hesitant to discuss these things,” Dr. Sulman says. “The struggles prostate problems can cause might be enough motivation to overcome any shyness. Patients may be struggling with difficulty urinating, a weak stream or frequently needing to go to the bathroom all night.” 

This might be because the population of men a urologist sees are experiencing a prostate concern that brought them to see a doctor in the first place.  

But for those who haven’t scheduled an appointment yet, or have symptoms that aren’t entirely disruptive, why bother at all? 

“Ignoring symptoms can lead to the prostate becoming enlarged and obstructing kidney function,” Dr. Sulman explains. “An untreated obstruction can end in kidney failure and require the long-term use of a catheter. But even without symptoms, prostate cancer can exist for many years before there are any symptoms. Without prostate cancer screening, you run the risk of developing metastatic, incurable prostate cancer.”  

Who should get prostate cancer screening? 

It’s recommended that men start discussing prostate cancer screenings at age 55. If you are at high risk for developing prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend screenings as early as 40 years old. 

But beyond age, there are a few other well-defined risk factors. 

“Men with a family history of prostate cancer and/or African American men are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer,” Dr. Sulman adds. “These risk factors do influence the age at which prostate cancer screening is recommended, so discuss with your doctor about when screening is right for you.” 

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