Prostate Cancer

General Cancer Information Prostate Cancer

When abnormal cells start dividing and replicating, causing a build-up of mutated cells (tumor). A tumor that forms in the prostate gland, right under the bladder, but the cancer can metastasize (spread) to other organs.

It is most common in (but not limited to)...

Older men, above the age of 65
More prominent in African American men
Higher chance if you have a direct relative with a history of breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer

Some risk factors that make your chances of prostate cancer greater:

Smoking or alcohol abuse
Inherited variants of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene
Men with Lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer)
Excessive dairy/calcium intake
Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland)
Having a BMI greater than 30 (having obesity)
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Exposure to Agent Orange and arsenic

Symptoms/When to contact a doctor:

Blood in the urine, which might make the urine look pink, red or cola-colored
Blood in the semen
Needing to urinate more often
Trouble getting started when trying to urinate
Waking up to urinate more often at night
Accidental leaking of urine
Back pain or bone pain
Difficulty getting an erection
Feeling very tired
Losing weight without trying
Weakness in the arms or legs

Learn more

See screening options and timelines on the Prostate Cancer Screening page.

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