Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in a man's prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in men. Prostate cancer usually grows slowly and initially remains confined to the prostate gland, where it may not cause serious harm. While some types of prostate cancer grow slowly and may need minimal or no treatment, other types are aggressive and can spread quickly.

A man has a 1 in 7 chance of being diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer occurs mainly in older men, and approximately 60% of cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older. It is rare before age 40. The average age at the time of diagnosis is 66 years old.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the United States, following only skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in American men, behind only lung cancer. About 1 man in 38 will die of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in white men. African-American men with prostate cancer are more likely to die from the disease than white men with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer that is detected early has a better chance of successful treatment. Treatments include watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

The cause of prostate cancer is not entirely clear. Cancer occurs when some cells in the prostate begin growing abnormally. These cells divide more rapidly than healthy cells do and continue to accumulate, forming a lump or mass. Some of these cells can break off and spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body.

Inherited genetic factors seems to cause about 5% to 10% of prostate cancers.

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer include:

• older age
• being African-American
• family history of prostate or breast cancer
• obesity

Talk with your doctor about prostate screening based on your age and risk, and report trouble urinating, blood in the urine or semen, or new bone pain. Many prostate cancers grow slowly, so discuss the right plan for you.