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General Information About Prostate Cancer
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Prostate cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells
form in the tissues of the prostate.
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system 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 is about the
size of a walnut and surrounds part of the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the
bladder). The prostate gland produces fluid that makes up part of semen.
| Enlarge | | | | Anatomy of the male reproductive and urinary systems, showing the prostate, testicles, bladder, and other organs. |
As men age, the prostate may get bigger. A bigger prostate may block the
flow of urine from the bladder and cause problems with sexual function. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and although
it is not cancer, surgery may be
needed to correct it. The symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia or of other problems in the prostate may be
similar to symptoms of prostate cancer. | Enlarge | | | | Normal prostate and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A normal prostate does not block the flow of urine from the bladder. An enlarged prostate presses on the bladder and urethra and blocks the flow of urine. |
Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin cancer among men in
the United States.
Prostate cancer is found mainly in older men. Although the number of men with prostate cancer is large, most men diagnosed with this disease do not die from it. In black men, however, prostate cancer is usually more advanced and they are more likely than white men to die from the disease.
Age, race, and family history of prostate cancer can affect the risk of developing prostate cancer.
Anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease
is called a risk factor. Risk factors for prostate cancer include the
following:
- Being 50 years of age or older.
- Being black.
- Having a brother, son, or father who had prostate cancer.
- Eating a diet high in fat or drinking alcoholic beverages.
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. A normal prostate does not block the flow of urine from the bladder. An enlarged prostate presses on the bladder and urethra and blocks the flow of urine. ','popup','width=780,height=630,scrollbars=1,resizable=1,menubar=0,location=0,status=0,toolbar=0'))