Did you know...(facts about prostate cancer)
While you are reading this information, keep in mind that it does not replace the advice you get from your doctor. Contact your physician or healthcare provider whenever you have questions about your health.
What is the prostate gland?
The prostate, one of the male sex glands, is located just below the bladder (the organ that collects and empties urine) and in front of the rectum (the lower part of the intestine). It's about the size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. One of its functions is to make fluid that becomes part of semen, the white fluid that contains sperm.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a disease in which cancer (malignant) cells are found in the prostate. It is one of the most common cancers among men, and, fortunately, one of the easiest to treat if detected early. Key to successful treatment is getting the information you need, so you can make informed decisions about your care or that of a family member.
Complete information on prostate cancer, including reports on the latest research, diagnostic techniques and treatment can be found at the National Institute of Health's Prostate Cancer Web Page.
Enlarged prostate
It's important to note that the symptoms of a condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH, or prostate enlargement), are similar to those of prostate cancer. In BPH, the prostate grows in size and can block the urethra or bladder, making it difficult to urinate and may even interfere with sexual functions. Although BPH is not cancer, surgery or drug therapy may be needed to correct it.
Prostate cancer symptoms
Prostate cancer may have no symptoms, so routine testing is important. But, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor.
- A weak or interrupted flow of urine
- Difficulty urinating or urinating frequently (especially at night)
- Pain or burning when you urinate
- Blood in the urine
- Nagging pain in the back, hips, or pelvis
Incidence and risks
Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in men and is found mainly in older men. A man's risk of developing prostate cancer is 1 in 6 over his lifetime. African American men are more than twice as likely to develop prostate cancer than white men. Smokers are also more at risk, and the older a man gets, the more likely he will develop prostate cancer. In fact, it is estimated that 30 percent of elderly men die with a prostate cancer condition that never became clinically serious.
Between 1989 and 1992, the number of prostate cancer diagnoses increased dramatically, probably due to the increased use of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test screenings. The PSA test is a screening technique that detects levels of a protein that is produced by prostate cells, including both normal and cancerous cells.
Although prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men, it can be treated and cured if diagnosed early.
More links
Click on these links for detailed information from the National Cancer Institute.
Also, valuable findings on how diet and other factors may affect incidence of prostate cancer can be found at UrologyHealth.org, the Web site of the American Urology Association (AUA)
The American Cancer Society recommends that regular prostate exams should be done by a doctor for every man over 40 years of age. Often there are no symptoms of early prostate cancer, so men usually don't know they have prostate cancer until they are checked by a doctor.
Other links
- American Foundation for Urologic Disease (AFUD)
- American Urological Association (AUA)
- Mayo Clinic: Prostate Health
- National Prostate Cancer Coalition
- Prostate Cancer Awareness Week
- UsToo! International, Inc.
- www.malecare.com
For more information
To receive a personalized response to your specific questions about cancer, we encourage US residents to call the Cancer Information Service (CIS) at 1 (800) 4-CANCER [1 (800) 422-6237] Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM to speak with a Cancer Information Specialist. Deaf and hard of hearing callers with TTY equipment may call 1 (800) 332-8615.