The prostate is an organ located in the male pelvis in front of the bladder, and is around the size of a walnut. Its primary role is in sex, and it is responsible for the production of fluids that are involved in the act of ejaculation. Despite being such a small organ it has a great effect upon a man's health.

During later life it can inflate and in doing so block the flow of Urine. This enlargement may also be associated with numerous types of both precancer and cancer. As well as affecting the life of the sufferer, prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement through non cancerous growth) have a large impact upon national health services. Over a million prostate surgery procedures are carried out on the condition in the United States alone.

Incidence of prostate cancer

The number of people known to be suffering from prostate cancer is increasing year on year, having tripled in the last decade. This is mainly a consequence of an improvement in medical know how, which enables prostate cancers to be detected at earlier stages in their development. Some of the techniques used for early detection include a digital rectal examination and PSA tests. It is the aim of this web site to cover your prostate cancer questions and answers.

The development of prostate cancer is a slow process, typically taking from between two to four years to double in size; this slow growth often means that the condition can be present for a long time without detection. The process of cancer itself is well known; cancerous growth is a result of abnormal cells growing out of control.

Prostate cancer treatments - brachytherapy

The condition is age related, more often appearing in people over seventy years old, and it is very rare in people under the age of forty. As a consequence of new technology and more widespread testing the average age of sufferers is coming down; this has enabled treatments such as Brachytherapy to become much more effective; see the brachytherapy procedures and brachytherapy side effects sections for more information.

It is the aim of the prostate cancer guide to educate people about the condition. In doing so it hoped that the reader will be able to feel more positive about themselves, and the minds of loved ones will be eased. It is intended that the site acts as a valuable source of information on the causes, symptoms and treatments, such as brachytherapy of prostate cancers.