BDH: Father’s Day Treat
By: Melanie Holt Photo By: GPC-BDH Date: June 11, 2019
FATHER’S DAY TREAT. Dr. Neddy Lim, adult and pediatric urologist, conducts a prostate health lecture and free check-up to male attendees on June 11, 2019 in Bacnotan, La Union. A total of 65 individuals attended the activity including Barangay Health Workers (BHWs). Another lecture about hypertension was conducted by Dr. Fred Allison Concepcion, internal medicine specialist. These activities are all part of the health advocacy program of BDH and the Province of La Union as a gift to dads in celebration of Father’s Day.
Dads have been given a health treat this coming Father’s Day at Bacnotan District Hospital (BDH) as Dr. Neddy Lim, adult and pediatric urologist, conducted a lecture on prostate health and free check-up for male attendees on June 11, 2019 in Bacnotan, La Union.
A total of 65 individuals attended the activity including the barangay health workers (BHWs). According to Dr. Lim, the forum on prostate diseases is part of the Urologists’ Association project to spread awareness on male urinary tract diseases.
Pursuing an effective information campaign, Dr. Zenserly Pagaduan, BDH Chief, acknowledged the crucial role of the BHWs in the dissemination of health information in the community for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
As mentioned in the lectures, the prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder, the organ that collects and empties urine, and in front of the rectum, the lower part of the intestine. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that empties urine from the bladder. This gland tends to increase in size as males advance in age, thus, obstructing the flow of urine.
Moreover, it was discussed that prostitis or inflammation of the prostate gland is mostly caused by a urinary tract infection and is most common to males less than 40 years old. Prostate cancer on the other hand is the most common cancer in males second to lung cancer. According to the Department of Health (DOH), 19.3 out of 100,000 Filipino males have prostate cancer. The risk factors are old age, strong familial history, and African-American heritage. Prostate cancer causes pain, frequency and difficulty in urinating; problems during sexual intercourse; or erectile dysfunction. When blood is seen in the urine or semen; and there is a persisting pain in the back, hips, or pelvis, it is recommended to consult a physician.
This Prostate Awareness Program is done in the hospital quarterly since 2014 to have an early diagnosis of prostate cancer among males in the Central Agri-Tourism Circuit. Another lecture about hypertension has been conducted by Dr. Fred Allison Concepcion, internal medicine specialist. These activities are all part of the health advocacy program of BDH and the Province of La Union as a gift to dads in celebration of Father’s Day. #
