Your Prostate and Prostate Health
The prostate is about the size of a walnut and is located in front of the rectum, behind the base of the penis and underneath the bladder. Only men have a prostate. The prostate is one of the male sex glands, which along with the testicles and the seminal vesicles, secrete the fluid called semen. The prostate is made up largely of muscular and glandular tissues. Its main function is to produce fluid for semen, which transports sperm. During the male orgasm (climax), muscular contractions squeeze the prostate’s fluid into the urethra. Sperm, which are produced in the testicles, also are propelled into the urethra during orgasm. The Sperm-containing semen leaves the penis during ejaculation.
Prostate Cancer
This year it is estimated that almost 221,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S., and almost 29,000 deaths will be caused annually by the disease. Approximately one in every six men will develop this form of cancer, which is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer death in men, and the likelihood of developing prostate cancer increases with age.
Every man over age 40 is at risk for prostate cancer. And African Americans have the highest risk for
developing the disease. Having a father or brother with prostate cancer also greatly increases a man's likelihood of developing the disease. In addition, studies show that a high-fat diet may contribute to the development of prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor that most often begins in the outer part of the prostate. As the tumor grows, it may spread to the inner part of the prostate. It must grow fairly large before it presses on the urethra and interferes with urination. Cancer that is confined within the prostate and has not spread is called localized prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer also may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, the lungs, and the bones, especially the bones of the hip and lower back.
If prostate cancer is allowed to progress without treatment, it may spread to other organs, causing disability and sometimes death. Advanced prostate cancer is more likely to cause symptoms. However, by the time prostate cancer has reached this stage, it is less responsive to treatment.