What is the prostate gland?
The prostate gland (just called 'prostate' from now on) is only found
in men. It lies just beneath the bladder (see diagram). It is normally
about the size of a chestnut.
The urethra (the tube which
passes urine from the bladder) runs through the middle of the prostate.
The prostate's main function is to produce fluid which protects and
enriches sperm.
The prostate often gets bigger ('enlarges')
gradually after the age of about 50. By the age of 70, about 8 in 10
men have an enlarged prostate. It is common for older men to have
urinary symptoms caused by a benign (non-cancerous) enlargement of the
prostate. See separate leaflet called 'Prostate Gland - Benign Enlargement' for further detail. Some men also develop prostate cancer.
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