About Prostate Cancer
The prostate gland, located just below the bladder and surrounding a part of the urethra, is in a young man about the size of a walnut, but grows larger with age as does the risk for prostate cancer. The prostate’s main function is to make seminal fluid, which protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen.
Most early cases of prostate cancer are without symptoms, but some early signs of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer can be hematuria, urination problems, e.g. frequent urination, difficulty starting urination, inability to urinate and weak or painful urination. In light of the high frequency of prostate cancer and the high success rate of early treatment, The American Cancer Society recommends screening for all men 50 years and older, and to consider earlier screening for men with more than 1 risk factor. Screening involves a yearly digital rectal exam and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood-test.
Although the causes of prostate cancer are unknown, research has identified several risk factors associated with increased risk for prostate cancer.
Most prostate cancers grow slowly, but when the cancer penetrates the prostatic membrane encapsulating the gland, prostate cancer can spread very quickly.
The discovery of genes conferring risk for prostate cancer provides a method for early detection and diagnosis. Genetic testing is capable of identifying those at highest risk for developing prostate cancer. Such patients would include family members of patients with known cancers and members of families with a strong history of inherited cancers, especially prostate cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer.