Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles is set to undergo surgery for an enlarged prostate.
The 75-year-old monarch, who assumed the UK throne in 2022, is due to travel to hospital next week for the procedure.
In a statement released on the King's behalf, Buckingham Palace maintained that the Monarch's condition was 'benign' and that thousands of men undergo the same treatment yearly.
“In common with thousands of men each year, The King has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate," the statement said. "His Majesty’s condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure. The King’s public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."
A number of studies have noted that benign prostate enlargement (BPE) is very common among men over the age of 50.
What is an enlarged prostate?
According to the NHS, the medical term for this condition is benign prostate enlargement (BPE).
The prostate is a small gland in the pelvis that is considered part of the male reproductive system.
When the prostate becomes enlarged, it can impact how often you urinate as it puts pressure on your bladder and urethra.
As a result, the most common signs of an enlarged prostate are frequently needing to urinate or also difficulty doing so.
The medical community doesn't necessarily know what causes BPE, but it is more common with older age.
What's more, it's not considered a serious health condition.
In minor cases, doctors will often advise men to make adjustments to their lifestyle, such as drinking less alcohol and sugary drinks as well as more exercise. Medicine is also available that can help alleviate symptoms and reduce the size of the prostate.
For more severe instances of BPE, urologists may suggest surgery to remove the enlarged part of the prostate tissue that's pressing on the urethra.
Is an enlarged prostate linked to prostate cancer?
According to the NHS, men who have an enlarged prostate do not have an increased likelihood of developing prostate cancer.
Complications from BPH are urinary tract infection (UTI), chronic urinary retention, and acute urinary retention.
How to test for BPE?
If you suspect that you're suffering from BPE, your GP may run tests like a urine test or blood tests and refer you to a urologist for further testing.
You may be asked to keep a diary of the amount of times you use the toilet, or specialists may feel your prostate gland via a rectal examination.
The NHS states that some testing is used to rule out other conditions, such as prostate cancer.
