Key points
- The prostate is a small gland in the male reproductive system.
- Prostate cancer is a disease in which cells in the prostate grow out of control.
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a walnut. It is part of the male reproductive system and makes fluid that is a part of semen. The prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. It surrounds the urethra (the tube that empties urine from the bladder).
As a man ages, the prostate tends to increase in size. This can cause the urethra to narrow and make it harder to urinate. This is called an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) and it is not the same as prostate cancer. Men may also have other prostate changes and conditions.
What causes prostate cancer?
There is no single known cause of prostate cancer. Some things, including your age, race and ethnicity, and family history can increase your risk of getting it. Having risk factors doesn't mean you will get prostate cancer.
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