Bladder cancer is a less commonly known cancer. However, it is probably the most serious and time sensitive of all the cancers urologists treat. It arises from the lining of the bladder. It is mostly a silent tumour in its early stages.

Bladder cancer is most commonly detected when blood is picked up in a routine urine test by your doctor. Less frequently, you may see blood in your urine. It is important not to ignore blood in your urine.

Kidney cancer occurs in the cells of the kidney and is caused by the abnormal overgrowth of these cells. These tumours begin small and grow larger over time, usually growing as a single mass. It is often picked up incidentally, ie. by a routine abdominal scan of some sort. In its early stages, it has no symptoms.

Thankfully, these tumours are often picked up early. Surgery is usually curative and is almost always done laparoscopically (keyhole). Very frequently, only part of the kidney needs to be removed, preserving kidney function. In older patients, these tumours can often be safely observed.

Vasectomy is a surgical procedure for males for permanent birth control. Some refer to this as male sterilisation. During the procedure, the vas deferens (tubes which carry sperm) are sealed to prevent sperm from entering into the ejaculate.

The prostate is an organ of the male reproductive and urinary tract. It sits below the bladder. It’s main function is to produce most of the seminal fluid, which support the sperm, in getting to where they have to go. It slowly grows with age and narrows down the channel leading out from the bladder. This usually causes men’s urine flow to slow as they age. In addition, it leads to a delay in starting, dribbling, as well as having to go more frequently and urgently. Often this requires no treatment, unless the man is bothered. In this case, medication is usually highly effective and well tolerated. If medications stop working, then there are numerous minimally invasive options for treatment.