Prostate Cancer

What is it?

Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the prostate begin to grow uncontrollably. When caught and treated early, prostate cancer has a cure rate of over 95%.

1 in 6 men will develop prostate cancer.  African American men and those with a history of prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease and should have regular annual testing starting at age 45.  All other men should commence testing at age 50.  Prostate is 95% curable if detected and treated early.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a small gland about the size of a walnut that sits under the bladder and in front of the rectum. The urethra, the narrow tube that runs the length of the penis and that carries both urine and semen out of the body, runs directly through the prostate; the rectum, or the lower end of the bowel, sits just behind the prostate and the bladder.

What are the symptoms of prostate cancer?

If the cancer is caught at its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms.  Some men, however, will experience symptoms that might indicate the presence of prostate cancer, including:

Because these symptoms can also indicate the presence of other diseases or disorders, men who experience any of these symptoms will undergo a thorough work-up to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms.

What are the treatments for prostate cancer?

There is no "one size fits all" treatment for prostate cancer, so each man must learn as much as he can about various treatment options and, in conjunction with his physicians, make his own decision about what is best for him.

For more information about available treatment options at each stage of disease, order a copy of the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s free guide "Report to the Nation on Prostate Cancer: A Guide for Men and Their Families" from http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/guide

For more information about prostate cancer, please visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation’s website: www.prostatecancerfoundation.org