What is prostate cancer?
It’s one of the most common cancers in men. Here you'll find everything you need to get started. From knowing how common it is, to understanding the different types of prostate cancer and who is most at risk.
What is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is a common cancer among older men. Prostate cancer causes cells in the prostate gland (located just under the bladder) to multiply uncontrollably, leading to tumours that can spread to the rest of the body.
While we can’t pinpoint the exact cause of prostate cancer, we do know that some men are at greater risk than others. Things like age, race/ancestry, genetics, and family history are thought to be related to risk.
Early detection of prostate cancer can play a huge part in managing the condition.
What is the prostate and where is it located?
The prostate is a gland that sits below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra (that’s the tube that carries urine from the bladder) and is about the size of a walnut. The prostate's job is to produce seminal fluid (semen) that carries sperm when a man ejaculates.
Who is at risk for prostate cancer?
We still don’t know what exactly causes prostate cancer. However, we know that there are some things that increase the risk.
Age is one of the most significant factors – the chances of a prostate cancer diagnosis increase as you get older (50 and over). Race and ancestry also play a role – it’s why Black men and men with African ancestry should talk to their doctor, starting at 40 years of age. A family history of prostate cancer, whether it’s a father, brother or uncle who had prostate cancer; or a mother or sister who had breast and/or ovarian cancer also increases the risk. Certain genes may also increase the risk. The recommendations on when to talk to your doctor can vary, so make sure you check-in with yours at your annual visit to know what’s right for you.
How common is prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men worldwide. In fact, it’s is the most common cancer in men over 45. It’s estimated that over 1.4 million men are diagnosed with prostate cancer annually, while a further 11 or so million are living with or beyond the disease.
Despite it being so widespread, prostate cancer survival rates are good when detected and treated early.
What are the survival rates for prostate cancer?
A whole bunch of different factors affect the prostate cancer survival rate. For instance, the stage of the diagnosis (that is, how advanced it is) and the effectiveness of treatments all make a massive difference to the survival rate.
Early detection of prostate cancer is key. That means understanding your risk, talking with your doctor and, if necessary, getting checked through regular screenings, like prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. That’s because early detection may increase the chance of successful treatment and long-term survival.
What are the four stages of prostate cancer?
Prostate cancer happens in stages. The higher the stage, the more advanced the cancer. Doctors look at the stage of the cancer to figure out the best cancer treatment.
The four stages of prostate cancer are:
Stage I: The cancer is only in the prostate gland. It’s usually small and slow-growing.
Stage II: The tumour has grown larger. It’s still in the prostate gland but it has not spread elsewhere.
Stage III: The cancer has spread beyond the prostate. It can be found in nearby tissue and organs.
Stage IV: The cancer has spread (metastasized) to other parts of the body like bones, lymph nodes or other organs.
More prostate cancer facts
Prostate cancer can be a tough topic to navigate. TrueNorth is a Movember-funded initiative that provides men living with or beyond a prostate cancer diagnosis with information, resources, and support to improve their quality of life.
