The prostate gland is about the size of a walnut and surrounds the neck of a man’s bladder and urethra—the tube that carries urine from the bladder.

Prostate cancer and other diseases of the prostate are common.

The best weapon against prostate cancer is catching it early.

If you are a man, you are at risk for prostate cancer. The risk for prostate cancer increases with age. Your risk is also higher if you are African-American or have a family history of prostate cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that men over age 50 get tested for prostate cancer once a year.

The prostate gland can develop several conditions that are not cancerous. Pain, inflammation, and impotency are common problems.

BPH is a condition in which the prostate gland becomes enlarged and may cause urination problems. More than half of men in their 60s have some symptoms of BPH.

Although in the past, impotence was commonly believed to be caused by psychological problems, it is now known that up to 90 percent of cases stem from physical problems, usually related to the blood supply of the penis.

Prostatitis is the most common prostate problem in men younger than 50. Some estimates state that at least half of all men, at some point in their lives, will develop symptoms of prostatitis.

Incontinence is not an inevitable result of aging, but it is particularly common in older people. It is often caused by specific changes in body function that may result from diseases, use of medications, and/or the onset of an illness.

In the past 20 years, the five-year survival rate for all stages of prostate cancer combined has increased from 67 percent to 99 percent.

African-American men may have the highest rate of prostate cancer incidence in the world, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Early prostate cancer usually has no specific signs or symptoms—that's why prostate cancer screening is so important.

All men are at risk for prostate cancer. Family history raises the risk, as does advancing age.

When prostate cancer is diagnosed, tests are performed to determine how much cancer is present, and if the cancer has spread from the prostate to other parts of the body.

The cancer grading system is based on a number range. The lower the number, the lower the grade, and the slower the cancer is growing.

Your doctor may evaluate possible prostate problems with an annual physical and a digital rectal exam or a test for prostate-specific antigen.

When a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer, it's normal for him to feel scared, angry, or depressed.

What can you do to help the man in your life with prostate cancer? Keep the lines of communication open.

Expectant therapy is to "watch and wait" while carefully observing and monitoring the prostate cancer.

Cancer is increasingly viewed as a long-term chronic illness, rather than an acute one.

Long-term, serious side effects of prostate surgery are somewhat less common now than in the past, as new surgical methods continue to be introduced.

Radiation is often used to treat prostate cancer that is still confined to the prostate gland, or has spread only to nearby tissue.

The goal of hormone therapy is to lower the level of male hormones in the body, particularly testosterone.

Chemotherapy may be used when the cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland, or it may be used in combination with other therapies.

Sometimes called antiangiogenic therapy, this treatment may prevent the growth of cancer by blocking the formation of new blood vessels.

Talk with your health care provider before using any type of dietary or herbal supplements in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer.

Several clinical trials to evaluate prostate cancer have been completed or are currently underway.