OVERVIEW

Prostate cancer is cancer that starts in the prostate gland. The prostate is a small, walnut-sized structure that makes up part of a man's reproductive system. It wraps around the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.

RISK FACTORS

Prostate cancer affects about one in six men. Besides being male, there are other factors that contribute to the risk, including:

• Age
• Family History
• Race
• Diet

SYMPTOMS

If you are concerned that you may have prostate cancer, talk to your doctor immediately. Symptoms that could signal a problem include:

• A frequent need to urinate, especially at night.
• Difficulty starting or stopping a stream of urine.
• A weak or interrupted urinary stream.
• Inability to urinate standing up.
• A painful or burning sensation during urination or ejaculation.
• Blood in urine or semen.
• Lower back pain
• Pain with bowel movement

TESTING

Your doctor will perform one of two tests commonly used to look for prostate cancer. One is the digital rectal exam, in which a doctor feels the prostate through the rectum to find hard or lumpy areas known as nodules. The other is a blood test used to detect a substance made by the prostate called "prostate-specific antigen" (PSA). When used together, these tests can detect abnormalities that might suggest prostate cancer.