Updated: Jan. 21, 2026
What is Prostate Cancer?
Prostate cancer begins when cells in the prostate gland start to grow out of control. The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, which includes the penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testicles. The prostate is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder). It produces fluid that makes up a part of semen.
As a man ages, the prostate tends to increase in size. When men are in their 20s, the normal prostate is about the size of a walnut. By the time a man is 40 the prostate may have grown slightly larger, and by age 60, the prostate is often the size of a lemon. Age increases the risk of prostate problems, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. Although BPH is not prostate cancer, surgery may be needed to correct it. Men may also have other prostate changes that are not cancer.
Cause and Prevention
Since the actual cause of prostate cancer is unknown, it is currently not possible to prevent most cases of this disease. However, men can take steps to protect themselves. By learning to recognize the risk factors and the symptoms associated with this disease and by getting early screening tests, many cases of prostate cancer can be detected and treated before spreading to other areas of the body. Additionally, eating a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables may help men lower their chances of developing prostate cancer.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is anything that increases a person's chance of developing a disease. The following is a list of risk factors for prostate cancer. Remember, many men develop this disease without having any of these risk factors. Likewise, men who have one or more of the risk factors may never develop this disease.
- Being 50 years or older Advancing age
- Having a first-degree relative (a father, brother, or son) with prostate cancer
- Race and ethnicity: prostate cancer develops more often in African American men and in Caribbean men of African ancestry than in men of other races.
- High fat diet
- History of smoking
Possible Symptoms
When prostate cancer is in its earliest stages there are generally no symptoms present. However, as the cancer expands and begins to spread to other parts of the body, the following may or may not be present:
- Frequent or the sudden need to urinate (pee) especially at night
- Pain or burning while urinating a weak stream of urine
- Difficulty urinating
- Blood in the urine or semen
- Painful ejaculation
Benign prostate conditions can also cause these symptoms.
Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests can determine if symptoms are caused by prostate cancer, a benign prostate condition, or other condition such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). The doctor will do a physical exam and ask about symptoms such as pain, fever, or trouble passing urine—as well as how long these problems these problems have existed and how much they are affecting you.
The most common tests used to detect prostate cancer are:
- Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test
- Biopsy
Based on symptoms, your doctor may advise a digital rectal exam, blood tests such as the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, and a urinalysis. If the result of the PSA blood test or the DRE indicates a possibility of prostate cancer being present, tests that examine the prostate and blood can be used to detect (find) and diagnose prostate cancer. Your doctor may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the urinary and reproductive organs in males and the urinary organs in females. The earlier prostate cancer is found, the better the chances are that it can be treated.
Treatment
The choice of treatment depends on several factors: the individual's overall health, age, life expectancy, the grade and stage of the disease, the effects of treatment, and personal preferences. Treatments might include:
- Watchful waiting
- Surgery
- Radiation therapy
- Cyotherapy, HIFU, and other ablative treatments
- Hormone therapy
- Chemotherapy
- Immunotherapy
- Targeted drug therapy
New types of treatment are being tested in clinical trials. Patients can enter clinical trials before, during, or after starting their cancer treatment.
Treatments for prostate cancer are generally used one at a time, although in some cases they may be combined.
Where to Find Treatment
DPH's interactive map helps both providers and patients search for urology practices and doctors close by. Contact information is provided for each location.
Survival
Survival rates for all stages of prostate cancer have improved over the years and at least 89% of men diagnosed can expect to live at least 5 years from the time of their diagnosis and 63% survive 10 years. If the cancer has not spread beyond the prostate gland the 5-year survival is 99%.
Resources
Videos
CDC - Should I Get Tested for Prostate Cancer?
