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The prostate and seminal vesicles are part of the male reproductive system. The prostate is about the size of a walnut. The seminal vesicles are two smaller pairs of glands attached to the back of the prostate. The prostate sits below the bladder, in front of the rectum. It surrounds the urethra, a small tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the penis.
The main job of the prostate and seminal vesicles is to make fluid for semen. During ejaculation, sperm moves to the urethra. At the same time, fluid from the prostate and the seminal vesicles also moves into the urethra. This mixture— semen—goes through the urethra and out of the penis as ejaculates.
Cancer is the result of abnormal cell growth, which takes over the body’s normal cell function, making it harder for the body to work the way it should. Prostate cancer develops when abnormal cells form and grow in the prostate gland. Not all abnormal growths, also called tumors, are cancerous (malignant). Some tumors are not cancerous (benign).
Benign growths, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), are not life threatening. They do not spread to nearby tissue or other parts of the body. These growths can be removed and may grow back slowly (but often do not grow back).
Cancerous growths, such as prostate cancer, can spread (metastasize) to nearby organs and tissues such as the bladder or rectum, or to other parts of the body. If the abnormal growth is removed, it can still grow back. Prostate cancer can be life threatening if it spreads far beyond the prostate (metastatic disease).
People with prostates between the ages of 45–69 benefit most from prostate cancer screening
If you are younger than 45, talk to your health care team about prostate cancer screening if you are:
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