When Racing to the Bathroom Can Signal a Larger Problem - Corey B's Story

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Corey Blassingame, 52, of Blandon, Penn., isn’t shy. When he finds something that he’s passionate about, the musician wants to tell the world. The importance of men’s health recently took Corey to the Pocono Raceway NASCAR event on behalf of sponsor Teleflex. There he shared his story about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), also known as enlarged prostate.

Corey B., Age 52

Corey’s personal BPH health issues began a decade ago when he started waking up in the night to go to the bathroom. Over time, the urge to go to the bathroom became more frequent and unpredictable. He found himself limiting his work because he had trouble making it through concerts that lasted 2-3 hours. Client meetings became nerve-racking. 

His wife encouraged Corey to seek out treatment options for his urinary symptoms. His diagnosis? BPH. BPH is a condition in which the prostate enlarges as men get older. BPH is a common condition that leads more than 14 million men in the U.S. to seek treatment every year.1 Over 40% of men in their 50s and over 70% of men in their 60s have BPH.2

While BPH is a benign condition and unrelated to prostate cancer, it can greatly affect a man’s quality of life.3 As the prostate enlarges, it can press on and even block the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms including:

  • Frequent need to urinate both day and night
  • Weak or slow urinary stream
  • A sense that you cannot completely empty your bladder
  • Difficulty or delay in starting urination
  • Urgent feeling of needing to urinate
  • A urinary stream that stops and starts

Corey was pleased with his experience, which led him to join the UroLift® Patient Ambassador program to share his BPH experience with men who might be experiencing similar symptoms.*

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to put their routine health screenings on the back burner: an estimated 40% of U.S. adults delayed or avoided medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic.4 To help raise awareness of the importance of getting checked for BPH, Teleflex, the makers of the UroLift® System, sponsored a booth at the NASCAR race at the Pocono Raceway in July. 

Larry B., Corey B., and Steve K., UroLift™ Patient Ambassadors

Once unable to travel long distances, Corey jumped at the chance to share his BPH story with NASCAR fans as a UroLift® Patient Ambassador. “Men shouldn’t be embarrassed to talk about this common problem,” Corey added. “I’m proof that there is help available and that it’s important to talk honestly and openly with your doctor.”

Do you have BPH symptoms? The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a common method for screening and  diagnosing BPH. The survey asks eight simple questions to help determine the severity of your BPH. Take the quiz at UroLift.com, and share your results with your physician.