Know Your Cancer
Prostate Cancer is the 2nd most common form of cancer for men in North America.
The prostate, which is part of the male reproductive system, is a walnut-sized gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, the tube that allows men to excrete urine. The prostate gland helps make semen, which carries sperm from the testicles through the penis during ejaculation.
Prostate Cancer occurs when cancerous cells (or malignant cells) collect to form a tumor within the prostatic tissue. "Localized" prostate cancer is when the cancer remains inside the prostate. However, it is possible for the cancer to spread to surrounding tissue, other organs and possibly the lymph node system. When cancer spreads outside the prostate it is called "metastasizing".
Most prostate cancers are slow growing. However, there are some forms of prostate cancer that can grow quickly. For this reason it is important for men over the age of 40 to have regularly scheduled prostate exams.
As with many forms of cancer, early detection provides the greatest chance of survival.
