Health conditions

Prostate cancer

  • Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in WA.
  • It is the uncontrolled growth of cells in the prostate, which is a gland about the size of a walnut, found only in men.
  • The prostate lies below the bladder and surrounds the urethra, the tube that allows urine to pass out of the body.

More than 1880 men diagnosed with the disease every year. The good news is that the 5-year survival rate for WA men diagnosed with prostate cancer is now more than 90 per cent.

The prostate is a reproductive gland that produces some of the nutrients that sperm need once they leave the body. Secretions from the prostate make up a large part of semen.

The most common problem associated with the prostate is enlargement of the gland. This commonly occurs when men get older. If the prostate becomes so large that it presses on the urethra, problems passing urine occur. This is most commonly caused by a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (or hypertrophy) or BPH. Benign means non-cancerous and hyperplasia means to get bigger. BPH is far more common than cancer of the prostate. Sometimes the growth that constricts the urethra can be malignant (cancer).

What are the risk factors?
What are the signs and symptoms?
How is it diagnosed?
How is it treated?

Where to get help

More information

More information on cancer treatment is available from Cancer Council Western Australia (external site).

Remember

  • Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in WA.
  • Prostate cancer in the early stages rarely has symptoms.
  • There is no single, simple test to detect prostate cancer.

This information provided by
Logo: Cancer Council Western Australia


Acknowledgements
Cancer Council Western Australia

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