Prostate Cancer
Prostate Cancer is Australia’s most commonly diagnosed male cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death. Approximately 1 in 9 men will be diagnosed with Prostate Cancer during their lifetime.
What is the Prostate?
The prostate is a small gland that only exists in men. It is the size of a walnut that sits at the base of the bladder just in front of the bowel. It surrounds the urethra (the tube that urines passes through from the bladder to the penis) and is part of the male reproductive system. It’s function is to provide nutrients to semen and liquify seminal fluid.
What is Prostate Cancer?
Cancer is a disease of the body’s cells. Prostate Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal prostate cells and results in the malignant growth of the prostate gland. Early stage prostate cancer which is localised to the prostate often has no symtpoms and without testing men are likely to be unaware that they have the disease. Prostate Cancer has the ability to spread beyond the prostate gland (this is called metastasis). It may ultimately spread to different parts of the body such as the bones.
