The Facts On Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer means that cancer cells form in the tissues of the prostate. It is the most common cancer in American men after skin cancer.
Prostate cancer tends to grow slowly compared with most other cancers. Cell changes may begin 10, 20, or 30 years before a tumor gets big enough to cause symptoms. Eventually, cancer cells may spread (metastasize) throughout the body. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may be more advanced.
By age 50, very few men have symptoms of prostate cancer, yet some precancerous or cancerous cells are present. More than half of all American men have some cancer in their prostate glands by the age of 80.
Most of these cancers never pose a problem. They either give no signs or symptoms or never become a serious threat to health.
A much smaller percentage of men are actually treated for prostate cancer. Most men with prostate cancer do not die from this disease.
Posted September 2009
Prostate cancer tends to grow slowly compared with most other cancers. Cell changes may begin 10, 20, or 30 years before a tumor gets big enough to cause symptoms. Eventually, cancer cells may spread (metastasize) throughout the body. By the time symptoms appear, the cancer may be more advanced.
By age 50, very few men have symptoms of prostate cancer, yet some precancerous or cancerous cells are present. More than half of all American men have some cancer in their prostate glands by the age of 80.
Most of these cancers never pose a problem. They either give no signs or symptoms or never become a serious threat to health.
A much smaller percentage of men are actually treated for prostate cancer. Most men with prostate cancer do not die from this disease.
- About 16 percent of American men are diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives.
- Eight percent have serious symptoms.
- Three percent die of the disease.
Posted September 2009
