The Prostate Gland - Irish Cancer Society

Key Points

Prostate cancer happens when cells in the prostate gland change and affect how the prostate works normally.
The chances of getting prostate cancer increase with your age, a family history of prostate cancer, your ethnic race (African-American and African-Caribbean), a diet high in red meat and high fat and not enough green vegetables.
The symptoms of prostate cancer include passing urine more often, pain or difficulty passing urine, a feeling of not having emptied your bladder, lower back pain, and erection problems.
Tests to diagnose prostate cancer include a rectal exam, blood tests such as the PSA, a transrectal ultrasound scan, and a biopsy of the prostate.
Special tests can stage and grade the cancer so your doctors can decide on the best treatment for you.
Prostate cancer can be treated in many ways. These include watchful waiting, surgery, external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy, hormone therapy, chemotherapy, cryotherapy and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU).