The prostate is a walnut sized gland that sits beneath the bladder and surrounding the urethra.  It increases in size throughout life, with a particular growth during adolescents.  Its function is to secrete prostatic fluid, a fluid that makes up 25% of semen.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of male cancer in Europe after lung cancer. Some 300,000 new cases are diagnosed in Europe each year.

Age is a major risk factor for the disease.  The disease is common in older men.  Cases among those under 50 are diagnosed rarely.

Although prostate cancer rates have tripled over the last 30 years, much of this increase is due to increased awareness, testing and detection of the disease.

Men of Afro-Caribbean/ African origin have higher risks of prostate cancer than white men.  Men born in Asia have lower risks of prostate cancer than men born in the UK.

Symptoms can be similar to the urination problems experienced in benign prostate hyperplasia (enlargement) or ‘BPH’.  This condition is non-cancerous.

The prognosis is reasonably good, with three quarters of men surviving for more than five years after diagnosis.

Prostate cancer is diagnosed by clinical examination and laboratory tests.  If necessary, prostate biopsies are taken.

Treatment for prostate cancer is always decided case by case.  If the cancer is local, the aim is to cure the disease.  If the cancer has spread, the aim is to slow down or stop its progress.  Treatment is not always necessary.  If the prostate cancer is local and the outlook or prognosis is good, it is sometimes sufficient to keep monitoring the illness.