New device could help Leeds men with common condition

But traditional treatments for enlarged prostate – which causes urinary problems and can seriously affect quality of life – risk various side effects.

Now, a new treatment has become available on the NHS in Yorkshire for the first time, a move welcomed by an expert from Leeds.

The UroLift System, a device implanted in a minimally invasive procedure, will be fast-tracked for funding by NHS England.

Oliver Kayes, consultant urologist and honorary senior lecturer at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said it was an “important new opportunity”.

“Introducing the UroLift System in West Yorkshire will deliver massive benefits to both patients and to the NHS,” he added.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate, causes the prostate gland that surrounds the male urethra to become enlarged and begin to obstruct the urinary system.

Mr Kayes said: “It’s important that men remember that their prostate can get bigger as they get older, but more often those changes are benign, and are not a sign of cancer, though the increasing size of the prostate can cause bothersome and worrying symptoms.”

Medication is often the first treatment offered, but may not provide longlasting relief, while side effects can include dizziness and headaches.

The alternative has traditionally been surgery to open the blocked urethra, which can be very effective but risks permanent side effects such as urinary incontinence and sexual problems.

“There is some evidence that men worry about the side effects of prostate treatments, including drug therapy as well as surgery, and this anxiety stops them from seeking help,” Mr Kayes added.