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. Doctors look at the 2 lobes when they are staging prostate cancer.
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 reducing the levels of testosterone.
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 more details about written information and who you can talk to about your prostate cancer or any problems it causes.
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