What is Prostate Cancer?

The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. A healthy gland is about the size of a walnut. If the prostate enlarges, it squeezes the urethra and slows or stops urine from passing from the bladder to the penis.

All prostate enlargement is not cancer. There can be many causes other than cancer. For example, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the abnormal growth of benign (noncancerous) cells. The prostate enlarges and squeezes the urethra, preventing the normal flow of urine. BPH is a very common problem in the United States among men over the age of 50. Some men may have symptoms severe enough to need treatment. You've likely seen advertisements on television advising you to ask your doctor about a particular medication that will help to "get things back down to size."

Screening for prostate cancer is recommended for men 50 and older. There is a simple blood test to test for signs of cancer, and there is also a digital rectal examination. The blood test is done first, and the digital rectal examination is only done if there is some indication that there might be a problem.

The risk factors that increase the likelihood of prostate cancer are:

1. Smoking: Smoking puts all people at a greater risk for developing all kinds of cancer.

2. Age: Men over the age of 50 are more likely to develop the disease than younger men.

3. Race: African American men are more apt to develop the illness than any other ethnic group.

4. Family History: If there is a history of prostate cancer in the family, the risk increases.

5. Diet: A diet high in animal fat is thought to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

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