Facts About Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer occurs when a malignant tumor is found within the prostate gland in men. This type of cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths within American men.  One out of six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Diagnosis of prostate cancer can be unsettling for a couple of reasons.  First, prostate cancer can be life threatening when not found and treated quickly. Second, treatments can lead to side effects such as erectile dysfunction and/or bladder control problems.  Although some forms of prostate cancer are aggressive and can spread quickly, others can grow very slowly, requiring minimal treatment.

Studies show there are risk factors for contacting or developing prostate cancer.  Some of these factors are age, ethnicity, diet, and family history.  

Doctors believe the risk of prostate cancer increases after the age of 55. Sixty percent of newly diagnosed cases occur in men over the age of 70.  African American males have the highest diagnosis rate, with Asian and Native American men being the lowest.  Evidence also suggests diets high in saturated fat are linked with prostate cancer.

The prostate gland can grow very slowly over many years. This is one of the reasons why during the early stages of prostrate cancer no symptoms may appear.  Some of the symptoms are painful ejaculation, pain/burning during urination, or weak/interrupted urinary flow.  Other symptoms include blood in urine/semen, frequent nightly urination, or stiffness in the back, pelvis, upper thighs and hips.


Although prostate cancer can not be totally prevented, getting annual prostrate exams, maintaining proper diet & regular exercise, and quitting smoking are proactive measures which can reduce the risks of contracting the disease.  When diagnosed in the early stages, prostate cancer cure rates are very high.