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Q: I have heard friends and family members speaking of “benign prostatic hyperplasia.” What is it?

A: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men; it’s the term for an enlarged prostate gland.

The prostate, which is part of the male reproductive system, is located beneath men’s bladders and is the size of a large walnut. The prostate surrounds the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder through the penis. When the prostate enlarges, this can disrupt or block urine flow.

“Benign” means not cancerous and “hyperplasia” means abnormal cell growth. This means that the prostate is growing in size, but it is not a cancerous condition. Men with this condition can have their prostates double or even triple in size.

The enlarged prostate can press against the bladder and cause trouble with urination. As the prostate swells, it can press against and pinch the urethra, causing the bladder to weaken, since urine cannot be completely expelled.

BPH rarely causes symptoms before the age of 40. Additionally, occurrence and symptoms increase with age. Up to 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60 have symptoms from BPH; the rate increases to almost 90 percent in men over the age of 80.

Symptoms of BPH are similar to those of prostate cancer, so it is important to talk with your primary healthcare provider if you are experiencing these symptoms:

• Trouble starting a urine stream or making more than a dribble
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Feeling that the bladder has not fully emptied
• Weak or slow urine stream
• Stopping and starting again several times while urinating

Men with the following factors are more likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia:

• Age 40 years and older
• Family history of benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Medical conditions such as obesity, heart and circulatory disease, or type 2 diabetes
• Lack of physical exercise
• Erectile dysfunction

The big question is, if someone has BPH, will they get prostate cancer?

Fortunately, BPH is not cancer, and it has not been linked to cases of prostate cancer.

Although prostate enlargement is not a direct risk of getting prostate cancer, it can elevate the blood test commonly used to screen for prostate cancer — the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test. If your test shows you have an elevated PSA, your urologist will evaluate you for BPH as well as prostate cancer.

If you are experiencing urinary tract problems, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist. Even if you do not find urinary symptoms bothersome, it is important to identify or rule out any other causes. Early detection and monitoring are the best interventions for prostate health.

Christian Availa is a third-year pharmacy student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in biology from VCU. He hopes to pursue a career in military pharmacy or public health.