A new survey commissioned by Bioforce UK, the international sibling company to Bioforce USA, clearly shows that a significant portion of the male population in the UK do not have sufficient knowledge about prostate health, and that many just ignore symptoms. A.Vogel/Bioforce has just published the results of a survey designed to establish men’s attitudes to prostate problems.
The research for the brand was carried out online by Opinion Matters/ Tickbox.net between September 9 through 25, 2008 among a nationally representative sample of 1263 UK adults aged 16+. Opinion Matters/ Tickbox.net is a leading market research organization in Great Britain, carrying out consumer, corporate and niche-market surveys online among a 50,000+ member panel.
The nationwide survey found that six out of 10 men would wait to see if a problem eased before seeking medical assistance, with one in 10 waiting until the symptoms became intolerable before seeing a doctor - while some would even refuse medical help completely for any complaint. The research points to the likelihood that around 25% of men would simply try to live with the problem.
It is unsurprising to hear that those suffering from urinary discomfort highlight disturbances to their sleep patterns (22.7%) and the need to be near the toilet (15.%). It can also have an impact on stress levels (10%).
Some men expressed the view that they are most likely to wait and see if a problem will die down before seeking assistance (60%), with only 10% saying they would wait until pain was intolerable. When their partners were quizzed a different picture emerged - with over 1/4 of respondents feeling their male partners waited until a problem becomes intolerable before seeking assistance.
The results also uncovered a shocking lack of knowledge of the condition, with 78.3% of those surveyed unaware of what an enlarged prostate is. Over 60s are most likely to have heard about it (64.2%) compared to the 40-49 age bracket, where 86.6% had not heard of the condition.
Interestingly, the opinion of women in how their male partners deal with medical conditions seems to differ with that of the men themselves. While only 13% of men said they would ignore a urinary problem (which is still pretty high in its own right) - 27.4% -- more than double -- of their partners said their men would ignore a urinary problem. In this case of “he said/she said,” the “she said” holds more weight.
Results have also revealed significant misconceptions about the treatment for enlarged prostate -- 29.3% believe that surgery to cut out the enlarged prostate gland was a cure. Meanwhile, only 6% of respondents pointed to herbal remedies as a potential treatment.
Dr Jen Tan, Bioforce Medical Director, observes, "It is essential that anyone suffering the symptoms of an enlarged prostate – weak urinary flow, frequency and getting up several times in the night – should seek advice from his doctor.”
Eileen Sheets, Managing Director Bioforce USA, asserts, “Although this survey has been performed ‘across the pond,’ here, stateside, we can extrapolate that conditions are quite similar. Men aged 30 and older need to know about BPH. The younger they can start a preventive program, the better able they will be to discern symptoms of an enlarging prostate and perhaps be in a better physical state to reduce symptom intensity and frequency.”
Pierce Sioussat, President of Bioforce USA, notes that this study is extremely important because it focuses on existing knowledge (or lack thereof), cognitive behaviors and attitudes towards a specific health issue. It shows retailers of natural products that they have their work cut out for them. “This new study sheds tremendous light on the urgency of community education,” he states. “Companies such as Bioforce USA are ready, willing and able to pitch in not only with quality products but promotional and educational packets and support.”