The prostate is a small male sex gland that makes fluid to carry sperm. It’s located below the bladder and
in front of the rectum. Since only men have a prostate, only men get prostate cancer.
Next to skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. Prostate cancer is a slow-growing cancer
that mostly affects older men.
Risk factors
A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. For prostate cancer, some risk factors are:
- Being 50 years of age or older
- Being African American
- Having a father, brother, or son who has had prostate cancer
The screening tests for prostate cancer can’t tell you if you have cancer. They can only tell whether you need more
tests. Your doctor can help you understand your risk for prostate cancer and the pros and cons of screening.