Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the United States, after skin cancer. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in men. Prostate cancer occurs more often in African-American men than in white men. African-American men with prostate cancer are more likely to die from the disease than white men with prostate cancer.

The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut. It is part of the male reproductive system and wraps around the tube that carries urine out of the bladder. The prostate gland makes fluid that forms part of semen. The prostate lies just below the bladder in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine and semen through the penis and out of the body). The prostate gland grows larger as you age. If your prostate gets too large, it can cause health issues. 

Prostate Cancer Risk Factors

Prostate cancer is common among American men. Your chance of getting prostate cancer may be affected by your:

• Age. Men age 50 and older run a greater risk.
• Race. Prostate cancer is most common among African-American men.
• Family history. If your father or brother has had prostate cancer, you are more likely to have it, too.
• Diet. Eating high-fat food with few fruits and vegetables may raise your risk. 

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Protecting Yourself

Remember that the following can be signs of a prostate problem:

• Frequent urge to urinate
• Need to get up many times during the night to urinate
• Blood in urine or semen
• Painful or burning urination
• Not being able to urinate
• Painful ejaculation
• Frequent pain or stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area, or upper thighs
• Dribbling of urine

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor right away.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is a valuable resource for the public.  The NIA produce videos that provide brief, concise information for patients and caregivers. Jay Harold uses these videos to provide you the information to make informed decisions about your health. Additional information on Prostate Cancer can be found on the National Cancer Institute (NCI) website. Jay Harold is always looking out for you with current and relevant Health and Wealth information.

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