It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. The prostate is about the size of a walnut and produces a thick fluid that is part of semen. The prostate surrounds the upper part of the urethra, which is the tube that empties urine from the bladder. Prostate cancer occurs when the cells of the prostate grow abnormally. These cells form a tumor, and may also spread to other parts of the body.
Prostate cancer is the leading cause of death in men.
This year, doctors will find over 317,000 new cases of prostate cancer, and 41,000 men will die of it. If you are African American or if anyone in your family has had prostate cancer, you may be at higher risk than usual for developing prostate cancer in your lifetime. But there is good news. When prostate cancer is detected and diagnosed in its earliest stages, it is much easier to treat and treatment is more effective. Get a prostate check-up once a year if you are over 40 years old.