Read press release The prostate
This page tells you about the prostate gland. There is information about
Where the prostate is
The prostate is a gland found only in men. It surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the penis. This tube also carries semen.
What the prostate does
The prostate gland makes the fluid part of semen. It needs the male sex hormone, testosterone, to grow and function. Some treatments for prostate cancer work by reducing the levels of testosterone.
You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the About prostate cancer section.
Men have a small gland about the size of a walnut called the prostate gland. The prostate surrounds the first part of the tube (urethra) which carries urine from the bladder to the penis. The same tube also carries sex fluid (semen). The prostate gland is divided into 2 lobes, to the left and the right of a central groove.
The prostate gland produces a thick clear fluid which is an important part of the semen. The growth and function of the prostate depends on the male sex hormone testosterone, which is produced in the testes. Some treatments for prostate cancer work by lowering the levels of testosterone.
You can contact the Cancer Research UK information nurses by clicking on contact us.
There are books and booklets about prostate cancer, some of which are free. You can look at the prostate cancer reading list and prostate cancer organisations page for details about written information and who you can talk to about your prostate cancer or any problems it causes.
If you want to find people to share experiences with online, you could use CancerChat, our online forum. Or go through My Wavelength. This is a free service that aims to put people with similar medical conditions in touch with each other.
Rated 4 out of 5 based on 10 votes
- Share this: Tweet
-
-
- Print this page
-
Email this page
Increase text size
Decrease text size
Print page
Print basket
Save pages here and print in one go
Nurse helpline
Questions about cancer? Call freephone
0808 800 4040
or email us
