Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra. This is the tube that carries urine out of the body.

Causes of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer in men over age 75. Prostate cancer is rarely found in men younger than 40.

People who are at high risk include:

• African American men, who are also more likely to develop this cancer at every age
• Men who are older than 60
• Men who have a father or brother with prostate cancer

Other people at risk include:

• Men who have been around Agent Orange
• Men who use too much alcohol
• Farmers
• Men who eat a diet high in fat, especially animal fat
• Obese men
• Tire plant workers
• Painters
• Men who have been around cadmium
• Prostate cancer is less common in people who do not eat meat (vegetarians)

A common problem in almost all men as they grow older is an enlarged prostate. This is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It does not raise your risk of prostate cancer. But it can increase your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test result.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms

With early prostate cancer, there are often no symptoms.
The PSA blood test may done to screen men for prostate cancer. Often, PSA level rises before there are any symptoms.

The symptoms listed below can occur with prostate cancer as it grows larger in the prostate. These symptoms can also be caused by other prostate problems:

• Delayed or slowed start of urinary stream
• Dribbling or leakage of urine, most often after urinating
• Slow urinary stream
• Straining when urinating, or not being able to empty all of the urine
• Blood in the urine or semen

When the cancer has spread, there may be bone pain or tenderness, most often in the lower back and pelvic bones.

Did Your Know?
National Cancer Institute (Video): Prostate Cancer Stats