Prevention means taking action before an undesired effect actually occurs. There are three types of prevention:
- Primary prevention - reducing risk factors.
- Secondary prevention - early detection and early treatment.
- Tertiary prevention - providing appropriate supportive and rehabilitative services to enhance quality of life and minimize side effects of treatment.
Risk factors for BPH include:
- Age: The prevalence of the disease increases with age.
- Male hormones (androgens): BPH is a male hormone-related process. Although androgens do not cause BPH, the development of the disease requires the presence of these hormones. The higher the level of androgens, the greater the risk of progression of the disease.
- Family history: There is substantial evidence that BPH has a hereditary component. If one of your first-degree male relatives suffers from BPH, you may have a higher risk of developing symptoms.
- Ethnicity: Racial and ethnic variation impacts the incidence of BPH symptom severity. For example, Asians and Scandinavians appear to have a lower risk for BPH symptoms.
- Lifestyle and nutrition: BPH progression can be influenced by lifestyle and nutrition.