OK, so talking about prostate problems may not be the most comfortable of topics for most men, but it is vital that men take steps to maintain good health. 

  Simply going to the doctor each year for a physical examination is one of the best things men can do for themselves. Most prostate problems including prostate cancer can be caught early by physicians, even before symptoms develop.

  Taking charge and educating oneself is another important step to take. Working in partnership with your physician is the best approach to maintaining good health. This article provides general information about prostate health. Baptist Online talked to Memphis urologist Mark Saslawsky, M.D. 

  The prostate is a small organ about the size of a walnut. It is found below the bladder and surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder (urethra). The prostate makes a fluid that becomes part of semen. 

  Prostate problems are more common in men age 50 and older, but can occur at an earlier age. Sometimes men feel symptoms themselves, or sometimes their doctors find prostate problems during routine exams. Doctors who are experts in diseases of the urinary tract (urologists) diagnose and treat prostate problems. 

  Enlarged prostate or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common prostate problems. This is usually a problem associated with aging. Over time, an enlarged prostate may block the urethra, making it difficult to urinate. It may cause men to have problems with urination, such as weak stream. They may not completely empty the bladder after urination and they may to go more frequently than normal.

  Acute prostatitis is an infection of the prostate caused by bacteria. It is treated with antibiotics. Symptoms include burning when urinating, increased urgency, incomplete emptying of the bladder and pain in the region of the bladder. This problem typically affects younger men.

  Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation that keeps coming back. It can be hard to treat, because it usually is not a bacterial infection.

  Prostate cancer is cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among American men. It occurs earlier in African American men than white men. Treatment for prostate cancer works best when the disease is found early. 

• Frequent urge to urinate
• Painful or burning urination
• Difficulty in urinating
• Difficulty in having an erection
• Painful ejaculation
• Frequent pain in the pelvic region
• Frequent nighttime urination
• Dribbling of urine
• Blood in urine or semen

About 90 percent of prostate cancer is diagnosed by a physician in the early stages usually before symptoms occur. Early detection and treatment is key, said Dr. Saslawsky.

Several tests help the doctor identify the problem and decide on the best treatment.

• Digital rectal exam. This exam is usually the first test done. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum and feels the part of the prostate that sits next to it. This exam gives the doctor a general idea of the size and condition of the prostate.
• Blood test. The doctor may want to test a sample of your blood to look for prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. PSA is a substance produced by the prostate that may be found in an increased amount in the blood of men who have prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, or infection or inflammation of the prostate. 
• Imaging. The doctor may want to get a picture of your prostate and bladder using either X-rays or sonogram
• Urine flow study. You may be asked to urinate into a special device that measures how quickly the urine is flowing. 

  There are many options for treating prostate cancer. Each treatment plan is based on whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, patient age and general health, and how the patient feels about the treatment options and side effects. Some of the treatment choices include: 

• Surgery involves taking out the entire prostate and nearby tissues. 
• Radiation implants or brachytherapy. This type of radiation therapy involves placing radioactive seeds directly into the prostate. This focuses the radiation directly on the cancer and lowers the chance of affecting healthy areas around the prostate.
• Cryoablation kills the cancer by freezing it.
• Hormone therapy can stop cancer cells from growing. The growth of prostate cancer often depends on testosterone. Drug treatment is one effective way to block testosterone. 
• Watchful waiting - If the cancer is slow growing and not causing problems, patients may decide not to have treatment right away. Instead, the doctor will watch closely for changes. Men who are older or have another serious illness often choose this option. 

• Medications. One type of medication is known as alpha agents. These medications can relax muscles near the prostate and ease symptoms. An alternate type of medication is known as 5-alpha reductases which acts to shrink the prostate.
• TURP (transurethral resection) is a common type of surgery. While the patient is under anesthesia, the doctor uses a small telescope-like device called a cystoscope to take out part of the prostate and remove the blockage.
• Microwave treatment. This procedure uses a catheter with a microwave antenna. The microwaves kill the tissue that is crowding the urethra and shrinks the prostate. It can be done in the doctors office.

  One promising area of research is immunotherapy, a type of treatment that helps the immune system to fight disease. Another is chemoprevention, which is the use of drugs, vitamins or other agents to try to reduce the risk of, or delay the development or recurrence of, cancer.