Prostate Cancer, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
The prostate gland is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum. Prostate Cancer is cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate. This type of cancer usually occurs in men aged 65 and older, and is the second most common type of cancer among men in this country.
Prostate growths can be benign (not cancer) or malignant (cancer). If the growth is malignant, it can metastasize to other parts of the body.
The exact causes of prostate cancer are not known; however, research has shown that men with certain risk factors (something that may increase the chance of getting a disease), are more likely than others to develop prostate cancer. The risk factors for prostate cancer are; age over 65, a family history (if your father, brother, or son had prostate cancer), race (Prostate cancer is more common among black men than white or Hispanic/Latino men. It's less common among Asian/Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native men.), and certain genetic changes. Having a risk factor doesn't mean that a man will develop prostate cancer. Most men who have risk factors never develop the disease.
A man with prostate cancer may not have any symptoms. For men who do have symptoms, the common symptoms include; not being able to pass urine, having a hard time starting or stopping the urine flow, having to urinate often, especially at night, weak flow of urine, urine flow that starts and stops, pain or burning during urination, difficulty having an erection, blood in the urine or semen, frequent pain in the lower back, hips, or upper thighs.
Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer. BPH, an infection, or another health problem may cause them. If you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign growth of prostate cells. It is not cancer. The prostate grows larger and squeezes the urethra. This prevents the normal flow of urine. BPH is a very common problem. In the United States, most men over the age of 50 have symptoms of BPH. For some men, the symptoms may be severe enough to need treatment.