Urology Awareness Month takes place every September and is organised by The Urology Foundation. It aims to raise awareness of urological conditions and cancers, reduce stigma and encourage people to seek help when they notice changes.
Your urology health relates to the ‘urogenital system’ in both males and females. These are the parts of your body responsible for producing, storing and passing urine (kidneys, bladder, urethra) and the parts involved in sexual and reproductive function (prostate, penis and testicles).
Around 1 in 2 of us will experience a urology condition during our lives. These range from cancers of the prostate, bladder, kidney and testicles to common non-cancerous conditions such as urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, erectile dysfunction, pelvic floor problems and kidney stones.
Many of these conditions are manageable and can improve with treatment, however some can lead to more serious complications such as acute kidney injury or sepsis, and certain urological cancers carry a high mortality rate if not detected and treated early.
Early recognition of signs and symptoms, timely treatment and simple lifestyle steps can make a real difference and help protect your wellbeing. Looking after your urology health is vital.
Bladder
The bladder is a hollow, balloon-like organ in the lower abdomen that stores and collects urine. Bladder conditions are becoming more and more common. Bladder conditions include urinary tract infections (UTIs), incontinence, bladder cancer and Interstitial Cystitis.
Kidney
The kidneys are vital for good health. When a kidney is not working properly waste products such as salts can build up inside the body and cause health problems. These can become serious or even life-threatening.
Male reproductive organs
The male reproductive organs exist to manufacture sperm. The organs are prone to several relatively common conditions. Some, such as testicular or penile cancer, can be life-threatening. Others, such as infertility or erectile dysfunction can cause serious psychological distress and lower quality of life.
Prostate
Prostate conditions, including enlarged prostate and prostate cancer, are increasingly prevalent in the UK. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in most developed countries, including the UK. The lifetime risk of prostate cancer in men in Europe and North America is about 30%
Urology Cancers
Every year over 78,000 people across the UK are diagnosed with a urology cancer. There are five urology cancers: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, penile cancer, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
ALL INFORMATION FROM THE UROLOGY FOUNDATION