Health Essentials
When the prostate screams for recognition
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I love the years when we competed on whose urine stream could go the farthest, then as time went on we engaged in “more important” competitions but recently the topic quite often centres on how often one wakes up at night to urinate. Sleeping throughout the night with no interruptions is now worn as a badge of honour. An abrofo nkatie (or chestnut sized if you prefer sophistication) sized structure has more control on all these competitions than you can imagine. If you have not heard about the prostate gland yet then you are probably well below your fourth decade in life and it does not matter if you are male or female. This time our ladies have been spared the direct troubles that may accompany a prostate; MEN ONLY! The prostate is sandwiched by the bladder and the penis and the rectum is behind it. The urethra then runs through its centre. We will realise soon that these structures closely associated with the prostate have a story to tell when changes occur. The primary role of the prostate is to secrete a fluid that nourishes, protects and transports the sperms safely to their destination. Most people associate the prostate only with prostate cancer and who wouldn’t BUT the prostate has other challenges to contend with and we will focus on the main ones today; 1. Prostatitis 2. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 3. Prostate Cancer Fortunately for us all three above
can be managed especially when we start early and do not wait for complications.
PROSTATITIS
Common in men below 50 years. May be classified as acute or chronic. It may be as a result of bacterial infection through sex or urinary tract infection but may also be as a result of trauma. Symptoms
• Fever and chills, pus-like discharge through
• Frequent urination , burning sensation during urination or difficulty urinating
• Pain in groin, painful orgasms
• Pain in bladder, testes, penis
• Erectile dysfunction
BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERLASIA (BPH)
This is not cancer! There is an increase in size of the prostate though the actual cause of the increase in size is unknown, there is an association with male hormones. The increase in size is also associated with age. I have had the unpleasant experience of witnessing grown men sweating and crying in pain as they are unable to pass urine even though they have a full bladder and this is because the enlarged prostate has blocked the urethra where the urine exits. Fortunately medical science has made it possible to offer quick relief, well that is once the person can get to a professional. Symptoms
• One urinates frequently especially at night
• There may be urgency; you need to “evacuate” urine once you get the urge otherwise you may wet yourself.
• There may be difficulty starting to urinate and you may have to strain
• Poor urine stream; remember the competitions of yesteryears?
• Intermittent urine stream; urine stops midstream and then resumes when you coax it enough
• Terminal dribbling; after urinating you may continue to drip hence men beyond a certain age tend to shake the penis after the act
• Urinating may be painful
• Blood may be in the urine; sometimes the blood may not be visible to your eye
PROSTATE CANCER
This is one of the commonest diagnosed cancers in men. In Ghana the prevalence of prostate cancer is about seven per cent (among 50 to 74 year olds) and the average age of diagnosis is 66 years. Most prostate cancers are slow growing and many people die with the cancer and NOT FROM the cancer. This cancer is commoner among black males and may appear at an earlier age and often more aggressive and lethal. Risk factors
• Age; increase change of getting this cancer as you grow older
• Race; being black may mean a higher risk
• Family History; when others in your blood line have had a brush with prostate cancer then be alert
• Fatty foods, sedentary life
• Obesity is often blamed as well but I have seen people slimmer than me have to deal with this. Get screened
Symptoms When prostate cancer has not spread beyond its walls
• Frequency, nocturia, straining, blood in semen or urine
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• New onset erectile dysfunction
• Pain at micturition ( not common) When the cancer spreads
• Pain in back, hips, thighs etc.
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Change in bowel habits such as constipation etc. There are various steps to diagnose prostate cancer, BPH or prostatitis and we will delve into these later but a few lines on the PSA is in order. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) is an enzyme that may be used to screen for prostate cancer but it should be noted that like all tests it has its downsides. It is elevated whenever there is an irritation of the prostate. It may be elevated in other conditions other than prostate cancer such as;
• Inflammation such as in prostatitis
• Certain anal/rectal examinations
• Severe constipation
• Extended sexual intercourse (I am not sure what extended means)
• Passing a urinary catheter
PROSTATE CARE/RISK REDUCTION
• Choose healthy foods; lots of fruits and vegetables
• Choose healthy foods over supplements
• Keep a healthy weight
• Exercise most days of the week
• Report symptoms discussed quickly
• Get screened. And do alert your doctor if you have a family history of prostate cancer Men, it is time to take care of our prostates and dear ladies do keep an eye on the prostates that are dear to you.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel Health Essentials Ltd/ St Andrews Clinic/Mobissel (dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. Thought for the week –“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year worldwide (according to the World Cancer Report 2014: 1,111,689 cases identified in 2012).
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
These last few months of 2026, I am embarking on a new journey. Over the past several months I have tried out some aspects of my “new way of life” but not in the manner I am doing now and I am sure you are doing same too. Draft your own points based on what is important to you and let us begin the journey together. It is never too late.
Many of the things I am working on now are guided by years of interaction with different people, what may be my purpose in my opinion, great family and friends and the type of wisdom that comes only with years.
- Self-Care
Quite often we try to take care of everything and everyone without ensuring we are appropriately “charged”. There is nothing to give out if you are empty. Self-care is NOT a luxury and it has taken me years to appreciate this;
- I will add a new hobby I have been toying with.
- Surrounding myself with like-minded people who energise me, make me laugh and be the best version of myself. Building Social capital pays.
- I am spending quality time with God daily
- Spending time in nature is key and I ensure that I take much needed breaks
- Spending a few minutes a day to meditate, exercise and spoil myself sometimes
- I will have some hours each day that will be blocked out as “no phone time”
- Keeping a Goal Diary
Many people have described ways of putting down your goals and seeing them happen. My coach taught me the power of VISUALISATION but over the years I went off that golden path. It’s time to get back. This is what I am doing now;
- In a diary I am writing everything I want to be or do as long as I have breath. No pressure.
- I am writing in the present tense; “I am spending an amazing week in a 7-Star resort with the people I love the most”
- I will look at this list everyday
- Start a Gratitude Bank
I listened to this recently and though it was not referred to as a Gratitude Bank, I believe that is exactly what it is
- I picked a diary to write in but others choose a transparent container to drop in written points. Choose what you are comfortable with.
- At the end of each week I will write something(s) I am grateful for and put in the container.
- Whenever I feel “ungrateful” I will read through them to remind myself how blessed I am and surely I will be holding the “evidence”
- On December 31, I will go through the list irrespective of my mood.
- Practice. Practice. Practice
This is exactly as it is – whatever you have written out in your diary to do from self-care through your goals etc. prioritise or focus on a few at a time. As you practice e.g. meditating, exercising, eating right and the many great things you want to do, these will all GROW. Whatever you practice GROWS.
- Make the world a better place
I believe that we can make a difference in our corner no matter the challenges.
- That smile will change someone’s life
- An act of kindness is contagious and the giver, receiver and all those observing benefit immensely. Let us spread kindness.
- The Blood Bank on my mind for this year and beyond.
What are you focusing on, what are you practicing?
Do share your list with me via email.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week –“Never change your originality for the sake of others because no one can play your role better than you. So be yourself. You are the best.” – Unknown
References:
- Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth; Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
When it comes to cancer risk factors; ALL RISK FACTORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Someone may have several risk factors but remain perfectly fine while another may have only one or none yet end up with breast cancer or other cancers.
We cannot say with certainty that we can do all it takes to prevent cancer BUT we can do a lot to reduce our risk.
TEN (10) TIPS TO CANCER RISK REDUCTION
- Weight Control – being overweight or obese increases risk to SEVERAL cancers.
- Smoking – cigarette smoking predisposes one to several cancers including lung cancer. Other forms of air pollutants serve as risks too.
- Alcohol – limit intake or avoid. It has the power to expose one to several cancers as well especially when we can’t apply brakes to how much we consume.
- Healthy Eating
- Limit intake of processed food and sugar
- Limit intake of red meat
- Fruits and vegetables should be a mainstay of our diet.
- An antioxidant rich food like cocoa should be part of our food. The purer the cocoa, the better
- Fibre in your food is crucial.
- Exercise – on its own reduces risk for breast and colon cancers directly and many others through weight control.
- Also increases immunity.
- Cancer Screening – be regular so cancers can be detected early and managed aggressively.
- Vaccinations – take vaccines where needed e.g. Hep B vaccine or vaccine against HPV (human papilloma virus accounts for the majority of cervical cancers)
- Know your Family History
- Anyone in your family with a cancer? Necessary to be on your guard but also remember that you may be the first person in your family with a particular cancer.
- Start your family early and breast feed for as long as possible to reduce risk of breast cancer.
- Check exposure to Ultraviolet Light and other forms of radiation. Protect your skin.
- Practice SAFE SEX
- HPV infection leading to cervical cancer is commoner when one is exposed to sex early, directly or indirectly has multiple partners but NOT everyone follows this rule. As in many situations, outliers do exist.
- Conditions such as HIV/AIDS may suppress your immune system if not managed appropriately.
Do add two (2) others of your choice and send to me via email. Together we can protect ourselves.
Will treating H. Pylori infections be a game changer too?
ALWAYS remember that CANCER PREVENTION HAS NO QUICK FIX – we need to follow these points over and over.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “WHERE YOU LIVE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE.”- WHO
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
