Men’s urological needs refer to the medical and surgical conditions that affect the male urinary tract system and reproductive organs. Some of the common men’s urological needs include:
- Prostate health: The prostate is a gland located just below the bladder and is important for male reproductive health. Conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostate cancer can affect prostate health.
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs): UTIs are common in men and can cause pain and discomfort during urination. They are caused by bacterial infections in the urinary tract system.
- Erectile dysfunction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse. ED can be caused by several factors such as nerve damage, psychological issues, or underlying medical conditions.
- Infertility: Infertility is the inability to conceive a child. Male infertility can be caused by several factors such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or genetic conditions.
- Testicular health: Testicles are important for male reproductive health. Conditions such as testicular cancer, torsion, or trauma can affect testicular health.
- Incontinence: Incontinence is the loss of bladder control and can be caused by several factors such as prostate surgery, nerve damage, or medication side effects.
- Kidney stones: Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys and can cause pain and discomfort during urination.
- Urological cancers: Men can develop several types of urological cancers, including prostate cancer, bladder cancer, and kidney cancer.
A urologist can address these concerns, however a pharmacy-led model of care developed by Brad Butt, called Mens Health Downunder has offered an alternative to certain urological needs of the male adult population over the past 10 years.
Initially commencing in Canberra and now in 9 locations across Australia, the operation is run by a group of Australian pharmacists that provide rehabilitation solutions and cost-effective endorsed medical grade treatments for men with urological health issues. Mens Health Downunder provides products that are medical grade and specifically tailored for individuals with urological or sexual health issues backed by evidence-based solutions and pharmaceutical advice.
Mens Health Downunder exists to address the growing need for men to access quality health advice, break the stigma around urological health and reduce the embarrassment so men openly ask questions and confidently address health concerns. No concern is off limits.
Australian Health Journal met with Brad to hear about his journey, Mens Health Downunder and the impact the pharmacy-led model of care has had on patient’s urological as well as mental health.
Brad’s mission is to also raise awareness for prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia with expectations of aggressive diagnosis to double by 2028, overtaking breast cancer. Interestingly, media tends to focus on breast cancer more than prostate cancer. Often this is because of the stigma associated with prostate cancer. Men suffer in silence and are less likely to seek medical diagnosis and treatment. However, the stigma that surrounds prostate cancer and men’s health is a significant barrier that is being addressed, by Brad and his team of pharmacists.
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Career advice from an Emergency Physician in Research
Associate Professor Viet Tran, an experienced emergency physician at the Royal Hobart Hospital. He spoke with Australian Health Journal about the crucial role of emergency departments as the frontline of hospitals, providing immediate care, diagnosis, resuscitation, and serving as a safety net for the healthcare system. Prof. Tran highlights the importance of understanding the daily responsibilities and core aspects of a specialty when choosing a medical career.
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ARCS Annual Conference 2019
Earlier this month, ARCS Australia held it’s Annual Conference at the International Convention Centre Sydney – ICC Sydney, with the theme of putting patients at the centre of healthcare. Uniquely, the conference included a number of patients who attended, presented or were referenced.
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Understanding extracellular vesicles in cancer therapy research
Joy Wolfram is an Associate Professor at the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology and the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland in Australia. Originally from Finland, she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology before transitioning to engineering with a PhD in nanotechnology completed in China. Wolfram has over a decade of experience working in hospitals in the United States before joining the University of Queensland.
Her research focuses on extracellular vesicles, which are crucial for cell communication both locally within tissues and over longer distances between organs. Her lab studies the roles of these vesicles in both health and disease, particularly in cancer. They investigate the harmful messages released by cancer cells that aid in tumour growth, specifically in breast cancer, while also exploring how to harness beneficial extracellular vesicles from healthy individuals as potential therapeutics.
