(NC) — When stepping up to the plate, many mantras run through a batter's mind as they aim for that elusive home run. “Keep your elbows in,” “bend your knees,” and most important of all, “keep your eye on the ball.” Not only should this last gem be repeated on the diamond, it's also something Canadian men need to apply when it comes to their health!

In order to score big in the game of health, one of the “balls” men need to keep an eye on is their prostate. The average healthy prostate is comparable in size to a golf ball. However, as men age, it may start to get bigger. According to the recent Keep Your Eye On The Ball Poll supported by the Canadian Urological Association via a grant from GlaxoSmithKline, 65 per cent of Canadian men 50 or over were shocked to learn a prostate could get as large as a softball.

An enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) impacts 50 per cent of Canadian men over 50. The symptoms include frequent urination (at night and/or during the day), inability to empty the bladder completely, or a weak urine stream. The symptoms can be very uncomfortable and can have a serious impact on quality of life. If left unchecked, it can progress and potentially lead to worsening symptoms, an overall decreased quality of life, and the need for invasive surgery.

The good news is lifestyle changes like limiting evening fluid intake can help, and there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms, shrink the prostate and reduce the incidence of future complications. The bad news is that 70 per cent of Canadian men have never heard of BPH and a quarter of them have never discussed their prostate or BPH symptoms with their doctor.

Canadian men need to recognize that just because BPH symptoms can be a normal part of aging, they don't have to suffer with them. When men reach the age of 50, they should begin getting a prostate exam annually and, no matter what their age, be proactive in bringing up any BPH-related symptoms with their doctor. In terms of treatment, patients should take an active role and ask about options that manage their symptoms and help shrink the prostate. Speak with a urologist or family physician for more information and visit www.MyBPH.ca.