Turning 50? Don't dismiss these prostate changes as “just ageing”, doctors explain what men should know

Turning 50 often brings a new kind of health awareness. Blood pressure gets checked more regularly, cholesterol starts getting attention and even small changes in the body become harder to dismiss.For men, prostate health deserves a place on that list.“The Indian Council of Medical Research estimates around 40,000 new prostate cancer cases in the country every year, most of them in men past 50. Urban cancer registries have picked up more cases in recent years, partly because more men are being tested,” said Dr Nitish Aggarwal, Consultant Urologist & Uro-Oncologist, Fortis Healthcare, Chandigarh.Prostate cancer is not something that every man will develop after 50. But age is an important risk factor, and knowing what changes deserve attention can prevent a health concern from being pushed aside for years.What actually happens to the prostate with age?The prostate is a small gland located just below the bladder.