Prostate cancer is set to become the most common cancer in men in the next three years. This increase is largely due to increased detection through screening.

Although all men can get the disease, it usually occurs in men over the age of 50; in fact, only one in twenty cases occurs in those under 60.

What is the prostate?

Where is it?

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It is a small chestnut shaped gland that surrounds the beginning of the urethra (the tube which carries urine out of the body). It is located below the bladder and in front of the rectum.  It is present only in men.

What does it do?
It makes and stores a milky liquid called seminal fluid. This protects the urethra and mixes with sperm from the testicles to form semen; discharged during ejaculation.

Written by Dr. Anna Tilley 

02/06/2009