WHAT IS PROSTATE CANCER?
Prostate cancer originates in the prostate, a gland exclusive to men. About the size of a walnut, it is soft to the touch and situated at the intersection of the bladder, penis, and rectum. When prostate cells start to grow and multiply abnormally, the gland enlarges and exerts pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder.
UNDERSTANDING THE CAUSES
Exposure to specific risk factors can lead to damage in the DNA and genes within prostate cells. These genes regulate the growth and multiplication of cells, ensuring that abnormal ones are eliminated. When these genes are damaged or lost, critical instructions are altered or deleted, resulting in chaotic growth of prostate cells—the hallmark of prostate cancer.
