"Important to tackle taboo health subjects" as part of Men's Health Week

Charles Ellis, was diagnosed with Benign Prostate Enlargement in his early 50s, and said the issue - which results in bladder and urinary problems - is one that should be discussed more widely.

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Charles, who is now 59, said: “The biggest impact was when travelling. It makes you realise just how woefully inadequate public conveniences are in the UK. I struggled to go anywhere in the car over about an hour and a half away. Getting trapped in a motorway tailback was a nightmare.”

Having now lived with BPE for around six years, Charles said he is “pretty much back to the old me” after receiving a new form of prostate treatment that was given the green light by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2020. Water vapour therapy, also known as Rezum, uses natural steam to shrink the enlarged prostate tissue: making it a less invasive alternative surgery and a treatment that can take as little as 20 minutes.

It initially took Charles 18 months from when he first started noticing symptoms to seek clinical help and receive a diagnosis. The condition itself affects many men, particularly over the age of 50, but in itself doesn’t usually pose a serious threat to health.

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Lots of men can often worry that having an enlarged prostate leaves them at an increased risk of developing prostate cancer however that is not the case. Charles said the biggest issue is approaching that initial conversation especially as many people consider increased bladder and urinary problems to be “just part of getting old”.

Charles said: “I hadn’t heard about it until I got it and I think that’s probably the biggest problem: the fact remains that all men face the prospect of an enlarged prostate over their lifetime.”

“A lot of people seem to get quite uncomfortable and don’t like talking about it but, actually, something like this affects so many people and because you don’t hear about it often it means people aren’t necessarily aware of what the symptoms are or what support is available.”