Prostate Seminar: Audience Questions
28th Ocotober, 2020 by Dr. Isares, Urologist at Samitivej Hospital, Bangkok.
(Please do not reproduce these without permission.)
1. Do patients develop tolerance to alpha blockers?
No, but with time the natural course of the condition will mean that symptoms may progress themselves, making the benefit of medication appear to be wearing off.
2. Are there benefits to different alpha blockers?
Alpha blockers range from mild to more potent in their effect.
Mild alpha blockers have less impact on prostate symptoms but also have fewer side effects.
3. Should a patient have PSA or MRI for screening?
It is recommended to have first PSA and then, if the PSA is elevated, follow up with MRI.
4. Are there any diet changes that can be made to reduce the risk of getting prostate cancer?
A diet with less red meat, more green vegetables is recommended. It’s also advisable to stop smoking and reduce your alcohol intake.
5. Is there any link with prostate cancer and obesity?
There is no direct link with obesity.
6. How often should the PSA test be done?
Annually is the general recommendation, but if PSA is less than 1 in a man over 50 years old then it could be done every 2 years instead.
7. What should be avoided before PSA testing and for how long?
Avoid cycling and sexual activity in the 48 hours before PSA testing, because they can cause a falsely high blood level.
8. Is there a set number of night-time urinations that should cause concern?
The number of times that a man has to pass urine in the night is not necessarily a direct reflection of prostate enlargement and may be due to other things such as the intake of fluids, juices, coffee, alcohol.
9. Do all men get prostate enlargement or symptoms of prostate enlargement?
Not all men will get enlargement of the prostate (but most will) and not all of those with enlargement get symptoms, for reasons unknown.
10. Other comments:
In the first week or two after starting alpha blocking medication remember to rise slowly from bed especially night time to avoid dizzy symptoms from postural blood pressure drop.
In younger men, prostate cancer tends to be more aggressive than it is when it starts at a later age.
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Our thanks to everyone who attended and made the seminar such a successful event. Plus a special mention for Dr. Isares and Nicolas Leloup from Samitivej Hospital, Bangkok, without whom this seminar would not have been possible.
