Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in a man's prostate gland. The prostate sits just below the bladder. It makes part of the fluid for semen. In young men, the prostate is about the size of a walnut. It usually grows larger as you grow older.
Prostate cancer is common in men older than 65. It usually grows slowly and can take years to grow large enough to cause any problems. Most cases are treatable, because they are found with screening tests before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.1 Although most men may die with prostate cancer, most men do not die from it.
Experts don't know what causes prostate cancer, but they believe that your age, family history (genetics), and race affect your chances of getting it. Eating a high-fat diet may also play a part.
Symptoms
Prostate cancer usually doesn't cause symptoms in its early stages. Between 60% and 70% of men who are older than 80 who have prostate cancer have no symptoms. When there are symptoms, they may include:
- Having difficulty starting your urine stream. This is called hesitancy.
- Having a weaker-than-normal urine stream.
- Not being able to urinate at all.
- Having to urinate often.
- Feeling that your bladder is not emptying completely when you urinate.
- Having to get up at night to urinate. This is called nocturia.
- Having pain or a burning feeling when you urinate. This is called dysuria.
- Having blood in your urine. This is called hematuria.
- Having blood in your semen . This is called hematospermia.
- Having a deep pain in your lower back, abdomen, hip, or pelvis.
Treatment Overview
Prostate cancer is often curable. About 90% of new cases of prostate cancer are caught early. Almost 100% of men with these early cancers survive 5 years or more after being diagnosed. 1
Choosing treatment for prostate cancer can be confusing. Not all men are treated the same way. Any treatment can cause serious side effects.
You and your doctor have two choices: You can treat your cancer, most likely with surgery or radiation, or you can wait and watch to see what happens. |
