Prostate cancer starts in the glandular cells of the prostate. The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum and responsible for semen production and therefore an important organ in male fertility.

Although prostate cancer is the type of cancer mostly diagnosed in Canadian men; it is the third deadliest type of cancer amongst them. The relative 5-year survival rate for prostate cancer in Canada is estimated at 95%.  This type of cancer usually occurs in older men.

It has been estimated that for the year 2011, 25,500 new prostate cancer diagnoses would be made in Canada, which is 900 more cases than for 2010, and 4,100 Canadian men would die from the disease. Based on recent statistics, one in 7 Canadian men is expected to develop prostate cancer during his lifetime and one in 27.8 men will die of the disease.

Urology is a surgical specialty which deals with diseases of the male and female urinary tract and the male reproductive organs including the prostate.

Types of prostate cancer
Causes – Risk factors
Signs and symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis

References