• Prostate cancer is common among men older than 65. Most cases are treatable because they are found with screening tests before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Most men do not die from it.
• The most common way to check for prostate cancer is to have a digital rectal exam and a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test. A higher level of PSA may mean prostate cancer, but it could also mean an enlargement or infection of the prostate.
• Experts disagree on whether regular PSA testing is right for all men. Testing could lead to cancer treatment that can cause other health problems, especially loss of bladder control and not being able to have an erection. The decision to have a PSA test for prostate cancer depends on your doctor's opinion and your preferences.
• Because other problems can also cause your PSA to be high, your doctor may do a biopsy to figure out the cause. A biopsy means your doctor takes a sample of tissue from your prostate gland and sends the sample to a lab for testing.
• Choosing treatment for prostate cancer can be confusing. You and your doctor may decide to treat your cancer with surgery or radiation. Or, if the cancer has not spread, you may be able to wait and watch to see what happens. During watchful waiting, you will have regular checkups with your doctor to see if your cancer has changed.

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For information on cancer that has come back or spread to other parts of the body, see the topic Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic.

What is prostate cancer?

Prostate cancer is the abnormal growth of cells in a man's prostate gland. The prostate sits just below the bladder. It makes part of the fluid for semen. In young men, the prostate is about the size of a walnut. It usually grows larger as you grow older.

Prostate cancer is common in men older than 65. It usually grows slowly and can take years to grow large enough to cause any problems. Most cases are treatable, because they are found with screening tests before the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.¹ Although most men may die with prostate cancer, most men do not die from it.

Experts don't know what causes prostate cancer, but they believe that your age, family history (genetics), and race affect your chances of getting it. Eating a high-fat diet may also play a part.²

What are the symptoms?

Prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms in its early stages. Most men don't know they have it until it is found during a regular medical exam.

When problems are noticed, they are most often problems with urinating. But these same symptoms can also be caused by an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). An enlarged prostate is common in older men.