All men, whether they like it or not will have to deal with BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) that is an enlarged prostate. BPH is not cancerous but men who have BPH can and often will develop prostate cancer. The word Prostate comes from the Greek word “protector” and was felt to protect the male body. Most men probably wonder, “ What does the prostate protect me from?” Well, I am not sure either. All men have found it to be a major headache. By the way, other than dogs---yes, you read correctly---men are the only mammals with a prostate. The prostate grows rapidly in early life and stops growing for about 20 years. Then around age 40 it starts growing again. It is a fairly small organ that sits below the rectum and is responsible for producing the fluid that contains semen. It sits like a saddlebag over the tube that urine flows through and as men age it gets larger. Men know or realize that the prostate is getting larger when they have the urge to urinate (called urgency) or urinate frequently (called frequency). Other symptoms of BPH are nighttime urination and weak urine streams to name just two. BPH can be treated with medications and all men are urged to talk with their physician about these symptoms. Sadly, African American men wait too long to discuss these symptoms but they should know that it is a common problem that we all will experience. Take care. I am Dr. Thaddeus John Bell --- Closing the Gap in Health Care.