You’ve probably heard a lot about prostate cancer, but may have wondered, what does the prostate actually do, and is it really that important?
A man’s prostate does a lot – and yes, it’s an important part of a man’s anatomy.
Small as a walnut, but with a big job to do
The prostate gland is small, but it’s a big part of the male reproductive system. Nestled inside the body below the bladder and above the pelvic floor, the prostate produces some of the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. But that’s not all. Because the prostate is located close to the bladder, and surrounds part of the tube that carries urine out of the body, the prostate can also affect the ability to urinate if it becomes enlarged or diseased.*
Is prostate cancer common?
Yes, it’s more common than many people realize. The truth is that every five minutes, another man in the world is diagnosed with prostate cancer. It’s the second most common cancer among men in the United States, and in 2025, it’s estimated that about 313,780 new cases will be detected in the United States alone.
The good news though is that prostate cancer is typically a slow-growing type of cancer that has a high rate of survival – when found early on. In fact, the survival rate for prostate cancer is actually 95% if the cancer is detected early while it’s still limited to the prostate, before it has moved to other parts of the body.
Shatter the stigma
The not-so-good news, however, is that not enough men are screened for early detection of the disease. Even if they experience symptoms, many men are hesitant to discuss their symptoms or concerns with their doctors and family.
Why is there a reluctance to talk about it? Research from 2020 shows that while we as a society have come a long way in being open and honest about our health, many men still feel embarrassed to talk about their prostate. Oftentimes they keep their concerns private, because they feel like the disease is associated with impaired sexual health, a decrease in masculinity, or they are afraid of cancer’s effects on their urinary function. When these feelings are kept bottled up, it can lead to poor self-esteem, a diminishing self-image, and difficulties in personal relationships. It’s a heavy burden to carry, and a stigma that has profound implications on all of us who love the men in our lives.
But there’s a lot we can do to change this dynamic. We can educate ourselves on the risks, the symptoms, the treatments, and the many options that are available to manage treatment side effects. Most importantly, we can encourage the men in our lives to talk. Not only to their friends and family, but to their doctors and to each other. That’s how we break the stigma, ease the burden, and save lives with prostate cancer.
5 signs and symptoms of prostate cancer
- Blood in your urine: if your urine is pink or red, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away
- Difficultly urinating: The urethra is surrounded by your prostate, so prostate disease often affects the ability to urinate
- Pelvic pain: As the prostate swells or cancer grows, it can start to invade muscles in your pelvis or rectum
- Erectile dysfunction: Prostate cancer is just one of many reasons why a man might have difficulty getting or maintaining an erection.
- Bone pain: As we get older, we often attribute bone pain to general aging or too much exercise. But if it continues, it’s important to get checked out.**
5 Facts to know about prostate cancer
- Some men don’t feel any symptoms in early stages of the disease
- There appears to be a genetic link, and prostate cancer can run in families
- African American men are 60% more likely to develop the cancer than white men
- Cooked tomatoes, cauliflower, and salmon may reduce the risk of prostate cancer progression
- It is recommended that prostate screening begin starting at age 50 for average-risk men, and earlier for those at higher risk.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is now
Now that we’ve shared some important information about prostate cancer, we urge you to take the next step. Now is the perfect time because it’s Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and there are events happening in many communities around the country. Talk about it to your friends. Involve yourself in community knowledge and take action. Seek out webinars and other online hubs. But most of all, we urge all our male friends and relatives over the age of 50 to please call your doctor and get screened. Because early screening saves lives.***
Contact the urology department at Premier Medical Group for more information on prostate cancer and prostate cancer awareness month. We’re leaders in the field of urology, and offer state-of-the-art screenings, testing and treatment protocols. Simply visit us at https://www.premiermedicalhv.com/specialties/urology/ or call us today at 845-437-5000
*https://teachmeanatomy.info/pelvis/the-male-reproductive-system/prostate-gland/