Where is it and what is it, and why is this tiny piece of anatomy the cause of the most common cancer in men?

Hardly anyone talks about it, many people don’t even know where it is or what it does.

It is the prostate gland and March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month which will once again attempt to overcome the ignorance and often fear about this tiny organ which can cause life threatening conditions.

Pulling everything together is The Prostate Cancer Charity. The awareness month aims to make people more aware of the disease and raise vital funds for the families of those who have been diagnosed with problems.

The core of the project is to raise awareness and the charity can help in many ways including providing speakers for events, but the accent is very much on what you can do.

You could help by spreading the message to work colleagues and friends, hold a fundraising event, buy a specially marked product at M&S or sign up to Take Action which helps improve access to information for men in your area.

So, what is the prostate gland? Only men have a prostate gland. The prostate is usually the shape and size of a walnut. It lies underneath the bladder and surrounds the tube (urethra) that men pass urine and semen through. The prostate gland’s main job is to make the most of the fluid that carries sperm, called semen.

The main types of prostate problem are: a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) – this is the most common prostate problem; inflammation or infection of the prostate (prostatitis).

Each of these prostate problems can cause similar symptoms. These may include: a weak or reduced urine flow; needing to urinate more often, especially at night; a feeling that your bladder has not emptied properly; difficulty starting to pass urine; dribbling urine; needing to rush to the toilet – you may occasionally leak urine before you get there.

Less common symptoms include: pain when passing urine; pain when ejaculating; pain in the testicles

Some men with prostate cancer may have no symptoms at all.

If you have any of these symptoms, you should visit your GP to find out what is causing the problem.

I know it’s nitty, gritty stuff but you need to be aware of it.

This feature can only scratch the surface of the information which is out there and treatments available. I urge you to visit www.prostate-cancer.org.uk or call their Helpline on 08000748383 if you have any worries or doubts.

A simple urine test may put your mind at rest or a more profound examination may be necessary. Why worry about it? It’s a lot more palatable than the alternative if you ignore the problem.

Graham Smith for Third Age.