The prostate is one of the male sex glands. The other major sex glands are the testicles and seminal vesicles. Together these glands secrete the fluids that make up semen.
The normal prostate is about the size of a walnut. It lies just below the bladder and surrounds the beginning of the urethra. The urethra is the tube that runs through the penis. It carries urine from the bladder and semen from the sex glands.
As the prostate is a sex gland, its growth is influenced by male sex hormones. The chief male hormone is testosterone, which is produced mostly by the testicles.
Regular prostate PSA tests are important for men who:
- Are over the age of 40 if there is a family history of prostate cancer
- Are older than 50, but younger than 70
Men having any problems such as pain, fever, swelling of the prostate, and blood and pus in the urine or problems passing urine should consult their doctor without delay.
For more information visit Prostate.Org