Dr Chris Aminarh Urges Men To Overcome Fear Of Catheterisation

Medical practitioner Dr Chris Aminarh has urged men not to avoid seeking treatment for prostate-related urinary problems because of fears about catheterisation.

He said some men are reluctant to visit hospitals because they believe that having a catheter inserted means they will have to live with it permanently.

Dr Aminarh described that belief as a misconception, explaining that a catheter may be used temporarily when an enlarged prostate or another condition prevents a patient from passing urine normally.

“When you are having difficulty in urinating, and because of that your bladder is built up with urine, we need to pass a catheter," he explained.

He compared the catheter to a temporary bypass that allows urine to leave the bladder when the normal passage is blocked.

According to him, the device may be used while doctors address the underlying cause of the urinary obstruction.

He said the procedure can be uncomfortable, but healthcare workers use lubricating gel to make insertion easier.

Dr Aminarh also explained that medical professionals do not want to leave a catheter in place unnecessarily because prolonged catheterisation can increase the risk of infection.

Medical guidance supports the use of catheters to drain urine when a person is unable to empty the bladder normally. Catheterisation may be required in cases of urinary retention, including those associated with prostate enlargement.

The doctor said fear of the procedure should therefore not prevent men from seeking medical care.

He also urged men to pay attention to changes in their urinary habits, including difficulty starting to urinate, a weak urine stream, frequent urination at night and the feeling that the bladder has not emptied.

Such symptoms can be associated with benign prostate enlargement, but they can also occur with other urinary conditions and should be medically assessed.

Dr Aminarh further encouraged men to know their family medical history, particularly where there is a history of prostate cancer.

He said men with a family history should discuss their risk with healthcare professionals and determine what examinations or tests may be appropriate.

Ghana’s Ministry of Health has previously included PSA testing and digital rectal examination among assessments for prostate cancer, particularly for men aged 40 and above and those with a family history.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that Ghana recorded 2,395 new prostate cancer cases among men in 2022.

Dr Aminarh said early assessment could help reduce the health and financial burden associated with advanced prostate disease and encouraged men to seek professional medical advice rather than allowing embarrassment or fear to delay treatment.