What is Prostate Cancer? - Acadiana's Multi-Media News Station

What is Prostate Cancer?

Definition of prostate cancer: Cancer that forms in tissues of the prostate (a gland in the male reproductive system found below the bladder and in front of the rectum). Prostate cancer usually occurs in older men.

Estimated new cases and deaths from prostate cancer in the United States in 2007:

New cases: 218,890

Deaths: 27,050

Prostate cancer is the second most common type of cancer among men in this country. Only skin cancer is more common. Out of every three men who are diagnosed with cancer each year, one is diagnosed with prostate cancer.

You will read about possible causes, screening, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. You will also find ideas about how to cope with the disease.

Scientists are studying prostate cancer to find out more about its causes. And they are looking for better ways to treat it.

NCI provides information about cancer, including the publications mentioned in this booklet. You can order these materials by telephone or on the Internet. You can also read them online and print your own copy.

• Telephone (1-800-4-CANCER): Information Specialists at NCI's Cancer Information Service can answer your questions about cancer. They also can send you NCI booklets, fact sheets, and other materials.
• Internet (http://www.cancer.gov): You can use NCI's Web site to find a wide range of up-to-date information. For example, you can find many NCI booklets and fact sheets at http://www.cancer.gov/publications. People in the United States and its territories may use this Web site to order printed copies. This Web site also explains how people outside the United States can mail or fax their requests for NCI booklets.

You can ask questions online and get help right away from Information Specialists through LiveHelp at http://www.cancer.gov/cis.