FRIDAY, Oct. 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new survey shows that older men have low awareness about prostate health and function, according to a study commissioned by the European Association of Urology (EAU).
The survey, conducted in May and June 2019, included responses from more than 3,010 men aged ≥50 years from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom to assess knowledge of the prostate.
The survey found that just one in four men correctly identified the prostate’s main function. Only one in six respondents correctly stated that an enlarged prostate is not a “normal” sign of aging. Nearly half of men did not recognize the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Most men said they would discuss any issues related to urinating with their general practitioner (61 percent). Very few men (13 percent) said they would discuss symptoms with their partner or family.
“The results are worrying, especially as the survey targeted men in the age group that are most likely to suffer from prostate-related conditions, such as prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate,” Hein Van Poppel, M.D., Ph.D., adjunct secretary general of the EAU, said in a statement. “The incidence of these conditions and their impact on medical practice is only going to become greater due to the aging population, so we must ensure that men are well informed to enable quick consultation and treatment if required.”
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