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   Prostate cancer facts
The prostate is a small internal gland of the male reproductive system. It is normally about the size of a walnut but shaped like a doughnut. The tube (urethra) that empties urine from the bladder passes through it on the way to the penis. It sits under the bladder and just in front of the back passage (rectum).
The prostate increases dramatically in size at puberty and continues to grow over a man’s life. The reasons for this are not fully understood.
If the prostate gland begins to press on the urethra and put pressure on the bladder, it may affect the passing of urine. There are three common prostate problems.  benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the prostate
Some men have symptoms or signs of disease, while others do not.
Want to learn more download 'Common prostate problems'
 Prostate cancer stats.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in Australian men after non-melanoma skin cancers.
A total of 13,526 new cases of prostate cancer were diagnosed in Australia in 2006 A total of 2,837 Australian men died from prostate cancer in 2006 In South Australia in 2004, 1,326 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer and it is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Australian men (after lung cancer).
In South Australia total deaths from prostate cancer were 218 in 2004 Prostate cancer is rare before the age of 45 About 85% of new cases and over 96% of deaths occur in men over 60 years. After diagnosis, a majority of men survive for 10 years or more.
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