The prostate is a small gland that is an integral part of the male reproductive system. It’s about the shape and size of a walnut or apricot however it can grow in size as men age.

The prostate gland rests below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It surrounds part of the urethra, the tube in the penis that carries pee from the bladder.

The prostate secretes fluid that nourishes and protects sperm coming from the testes.

The prostate contracts during ejaculation, closing off the opening between the bladder and urethra and pushing semen through at speed. This is why it is impossible to urinate and ejaculate at the same time.

The prostate can enlarge as men age. BPH is rarely seen in men under 40, but is evident in 50% of men aged 50-60, and in up to 90% of men aged more than 80. Approx 1 man in 9 or 10 will be diagonsed with Prostate cancer.

The world’s largest recorded enlarged prostate or BPH was removed from a 57-year-old Spanish man; it was 24 cm in diameter and weighed 2.4kg (almost 5 blocks of butter).

As the prostate enlarges it presses against and pinches the urethra, restricting urine flow. Enlargement of the prostate in BPH is not cancerous, however it can still cause symptoms that may require medical or surgical treatment.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in New Zealand men. Around 3500 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and over 600 men will die from this. More men die from prostate cancer each year in NZ than women die from breast cancer.

Prostate cancer is generally a slow growing disease and the majority of men with low grade prostate cancer live for many years without symptoms and without it spreading and becoming life-threatening. However, some men can develop prostate cancer that can spreads and invades other parts of the body, particularly the lymph nodes and bones, producing secondary and often deadly tumours in a process known as metastasis. Appropriate management is key.

Answer: All of these methods can detect prostate cancer

There is a range of tests to detect prostate cancer and the PSA test and physical examination by the doctor will help identify cancer which can then be confirmed in the lab following a biopsy.  PSA testing and digital examinations are used by doctors to monitor prostate health and hopefully spot changes that could be cancer. Actor Ben Stiller credits the PSA test he had at age 46 as saving his life.

Note: DREs don’t make men gay.

For most men with low-risk prostate cancer, the tumour is probably growing so slowly that it will not become life-threatening. Usually a man with low-risk prostate cancer will die from something else, even if he doesn’t get treatment for prostate cancer.

Family history – you have double the chance of getting prostate cancer if your father or brother have prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is rare in men under 50, and men under the age of 70 who get prostate cancer are more likely to need treatment as younger men will live longer with their cancer giving it more time to progress and cause problems.

Drinks high in antioxidants (eg green tea) are far better than caffine or sugar based drinks for your prostate. Some of the best foods for prostate health include oily fish (high in omega-3 fatty acids), vegetables, and foods high in healthy fats like avocados, nuts and olives. Believe it or not, the lycopene in tomato skins make tomato sauce a good source of prostate health. Staying healthy and losing weight if necessary are important in treating any prostate issues.