What Do You Know About Prostate Health?

Prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate are common. Learning about these diseases can help you recognize problems. You can then seek medical treatment right away.

1. The prostate is under your bladder. It is made up of glands, ducts, and muscle fibers.
2. This year, 10,000 American men will die from prostate cancer and 100,000 new cases will be diagnosed.
3. Prostate cancer is always fatal.
4. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level that's higher than normal always means prostate cancer.
5. African- American men and men with a history of prostate cancer in their families have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer.
6. Keeping an eye on a slow-growing cancer is one treatment for prostate cancer.
7. The most important risk factor for prostate cancer is getting older.
8. If your PSA is abnormal, you will need to see a specialist. The specialist may do more testing to see if you have prostate cancer. The tests may include a prostate biopsy.
9. Many men have a prostate infection or prostatitis at some time in their lives.
10. Most men get an enlarged prostate or benign prostate hyperplasia by age 80.
11. Early symptoms for an enlarged prostate are the same as those for prostate cancer. These include blood in urine and impotence.