Prostate Health

The prostate is a chestnut-shaped gland within the male reproductive system that is located just below the bladder. It surrounds the beginning of the urethra, the canal that empties the bladder.

When you are young, the prostate is about the size of a walnut and slowly grows as you age. Sometimes it grows too large and prostate problems become common after age 50. If your prostate grows too large, it can cause urinary problems. Cancer and other infections can also cause urinary problems.

The American Cancer Society recommends men have annual prostate exams and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests to help detect any prostate problems starting at age 50. African-American men and other men with a family history of prostate cancer should begin annual screenings by age 40.

Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas offers advanced treatment for men with prostate health issues including the daVinci Robotic Surgical System^®, a minimally invasive treatment for prostate cancer, and the GreenLight PVPT Laser treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate.