Prostate Health | SIUT
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Men's Health

Your prostate is an important part of men's health. Knowing what to look out for and talking to a doctor when something concerns you can help you take care of your health.

First, what is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder. It is part of the male reproductive system and helps produce the fluid that carries sperm.

As men get older, the prostate can change. Many prostate problems are not cancer, but persistent or troublesome changes should still be checked.

Learn more about the prostate

Take a quick self-check

Have you noticed any of these changes?

  • Do you need to urinate more often, especially at night?
  • Do you find it difficult to start urinating?
  • Is your urine flow weaker or interrupted?
  • Do you feel your bladder has not emptied completely?
  • Have you noticed blood in your urine or semen?
  • Have you noticed other changes in your urinary or sexual health that concern you?

If you answered “Yes” to one or more…

DON'T PANIC, BUT DON'T IGNORE IT.

These changes can have many causes, and they do not necessarily mean prostate cancer. However, if the changes are persistent or concerning, it is worth speaking to a doctor or urologist to find out what may be causing them.

This quick check cannot diagnose prostate cancer. It simply helps you recognise when it may be worth seeking medical advice.

How much do you know about your risk?

  1. Are you 50 or older?
  2. Has your father or brother had prostate cancer?
  3. Do you have a family history of prostate cancer?
  4. Have you ever been told that you carry an inherited genetic change that may increase your risk of prostate cancer?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, it may be worth discussing your personal risk with a doctor.

This check does not diagnose prostate cancer or determine your individual risk. A doctor can assess your personal and family history and advise you further.

Learn more about your risk

What should I do if I'm concerned?

Talk to a doctor or urologist.

If you have noticed persistent changes, have symptoms that concern you, or think you may be at higher risk, don't ignore them.

A doctor can talk to you about your symptoms and medical and family history and decide whether you need further assessment or tests.

Remember: Having urinary symptoms does not mean you have prostate cancer. But it is important to find out what may be causing them.

Find out where to get help at SIUT

How is prostate health checked?

If you have symptoms or concerns about your prostate, a doctor may recommend tests to better understand what is happening.

One of these may be a PSA blood test.

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It is a substance produced by cells in the prostate, and a simple blood test can measure its level.

A raised PSA does not necessarily mean cancer. It can also be raised by other prostate conditions.

Your doctor will consider your PSA result together with your symptoms and other factors before deciding whether further assessment is needed.

Learn more about PSA

Learn more about the prostate

The prostate is a small gland that is part of the male reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder and surrounds part of the tube that carries urine out of the body.

The prostate helps produce some of the fluid that carries sperm.

As men get older, the prostate can naturally change and become larger. This can sometimes cause urinary symptoms.

Several conditions can affect the prostate. These include an enlarged prostate, inflammation of the prostate and prostate cancer.

Not every prostate problem is cancer.

If you notice changes that are persistent, troublesome or concerning, it is important to speak to a doctor or urologist so that the cause can be properly assessed.

Early prostate cancer often causes no noticeable symptoms. This is why knowing your personal risk and discussing any concerns with a healthcare professional can be important.

Learn more about your risk

Your chance of developing prostate cancer can be affected by several factors.

  • Age: The risk of prostate cancer increases as men get older.
  • Family history: Having a close family member, particularly a father or brother, who has had prostate cancer can increase your risk.
  • Inherited genetic factors: Some inherited genetic changes can increase the risk of prostate cancer.
  • Ethnic background: The risk of prostate cancer can vary between different ethnic populations.

Having one or more of these factors does not mean that you have prostate cancer. It simply means that your personal risk may be different from someone else's.

If you have a family history of prostate cancer, are concerned about your risk, or have questions about whether you should have further assessment, speak to a doctor or urologist.

Your doctor can help you understand your individual risk and what may be appropriate for you.

Find out where to get help at SIUT

If you have noticed changes that concern you, or would like to discuss your prostate health, the first step is to speak to a qualified healthcare professional.

SIUT Urology Clinic
First Floor, Hanifa Suleman Building, Karachi
Phone: 021 99215752

You can contact the SIUT Urology Clinic for information about consultation and referral.

What should I bring to a consultation?

What symptoms you have noticed; how long you have had them; how often they occur; any medicines you are taking; whether you have a family history of prostate cancer or other prostate problems; and any previous prostate or PSA test results, if available.

You do not need to work out what is wrong yourself. If something concerns you, getting medical advice is the right first step.

Learn more about PSA

What is a PSA test?

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. It is a substance produced by the prostate and can be measured through a simple blood test.

Why might I need a PSA test?

A doctor may recommend a PSA test as part of assessing your prostate health, depending on your symptoms, age, family history and other risk factors.

Does a raised PSA mean cancer?

Not necessarily.

PSA can be raised for reasons other than prostate cancer, including other prostate conditions.

Your doctor will look at your PSA result together with your symptoms and other factors to decide whether you need further assessment.

The important thing to remember

A PSA test is not a diagnosis of cancer.

If you have concerns about your prostate health, speak to a doctor or urologist.

Learn self-examination — Recognize on time, get treatment on time.

Your testicles (testis) are an important part of male reproductive health. Testicular (testis) cancer is not common, but its early detection can be easily cured and successful. Checking yourself for 2 minutes once a month can save your life.

First of all, what are testicles (testis)?

Testicles (testis) are a part of the male reproductive system that is located inside the scrotum. It makes the hormone testosterone and produces sperm. Usually there are two testicles (testis) and both can be slightly different in size — this is normal. They are commonly called testicles (testis).

Why is Testicular Self Examination (TSE) important?

Testicular (testis) cancer is the most common cancer in young men aged 20–40 years. In the early stage, there are no clear symptoms. By self-examination, you get to know your body and can catch any new change quickly. If caught early, more than 95% of cancers are completely curable with treatment. Early diagnosis is possible.

How to do self-examination?

4 easy steps —

  1. Best time: After bathing with warm water, when the skin of the scrotum is soft and loose. Stand in front of a mirror.
  2. Look: Look at the skin of the scrotum for swelling, change in color, or abnormal enlargement on one side.
  3. Examine with hands: Hold each testicle (testis) gently with both hands. Keep the thumb on top and the first two fingers below. Gently roll the testicle (testis) between the fingers. Remember: Behind the testicle (testis) you will feel a soft tube (Epididymis) — this is normal, not a lump.
  4. Feel: Note any hard, painless lump (like a pea), change in size or hardness, heaviness, or continuous pain. Do this examination on both testicles (testis) once every month and it takes 2 minutes.

Have you felt any change in your self-examination?

  • Do you feel a hard, painless lump or thickening in one testicle (testis)?
  • Does one testicle (testis) feel suddenly larger or swollen compared to the other?
  • Has there been any change in the size, shape or hardness of the testicle (testis)?
  • Do you feel heaviness in the scrotum or dull pain?
  • Do you have continuous dull pain in the lower abdomen or groin?
  • Do you feel swelling or sensitivity in the chest?

If you answered “Yes” to one or more…

Don't panic, but don't ignore it either.

There can be many reasons for these changes like infection, water collection (hydrocele) or varicocele, and it does not necessarily mean cancer. However, if the change persists for more than 2 weeks, it is better to talk to a urologist.

How much do you know about your risk?

  1. Is your age between 15 to 35 years?
  2. At the time of birth, were your testicles (testis) not in place (undescended testis)?
  3. Have you previously had cancer in one testicle (testis)?
  4. Has your father or brother had testicular (testis) cancer?

If you have doubt, what should you do?

Talk to a doctor or urologist. Every lump does not mean cancer, but it is important to find out the cause.

How is testicular (testis) health checked?

  1. Scrotal Ultrasound: First and most important test
  2. Blood tumor markers test: AFP, HCG, LDH
  3. Physical examination

If suspicious, for definite diagnosis orchiectomy (removing the testicle (testis) and doing pathology) is done. Removing one testicle (testis) does not end male potency.

Where to get help at SIUT

SIUT Uro-Oncology Clinic (Tuesday and Thursday)
First Floor, Hanifa Suleman Building, Karachi
Phone: 021 99215752