Overview and statistics.
The Prostate: What is it and what does it do?
Roughly the size of a walnut and situated around the neck of the bladder, the prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and is vital in the production of semen. The tube through which the urine passes is called the urethra, which goes through the prostate gland. If the prostate enlarges, then the urethra narrows and urination problems occur. The prostate is also the centre for a bundle of sexual nerves, which is why prostate problems can cause impotence.
What are the possible symptoms?
Signs and symptoms for prostate cancer are:
- need to urinate often, especially at night
- intense need to urinate (urgency)
- difficulty in starting or stopping the urine flow
- inability to urinate
- weak, decreased or interrupted urine stream
- a sense of incompletely emptying the bladder
- burning or pain during urination
- blood in the urine or semen
- painful ejaculation
If you have any of the above symptoms, you should not ignore them but rather visit your family physician for further examination.
What is prostate cancer?
In the body cells die off and are replaced with new cells. This is done in an orderly fashion and results in the appropriate number of cells that are organized by the body to perform specific functions. When cells are replaced in an unorganized uncontrolled manor, they are unable to perform their function and a tumor results. There are two kinds of tumors, benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous). Malignant tumors grow with complete disregard for the body. Malignant tumors can grow into large masses and can spread to other parts of the body.
Prostate Cancer Statistics
General statistics:
- Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among Canadian men.
- In 2012, an estimated 25,500 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer with 4,100 dying from the disease. On Vancouver Island, it is estimated that 788 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, with 114 dying from it.
- On average, 475 Canadian men will be diagnosed every week.
- On average, 83 Canadian men will die of the disease every week.
- Over their lifetimes, 1 in 7 Canadian men will develop prostate cancer but only 1 in 27 will die from it.
Source: Canadian Cancer Society
