In the year 2018, researchers predict that 164,690 new cases and 29,430 deaths will result from the most common type of male reproductive cancer (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2018 ). Reproductive cancers affect the organs responsible for reproduction in the human body. For males, this constitutes their organs; the testes, prostate gland, and penis (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS], 2017). So, what is the most common type of reproductive cancer in males? According to the Mayo Foundation it is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is defined as cancer that arises from the prostate gland due to the uncontrollable growth of its cells (ACS, 2018). The function of the prostate gland is to produce seminal fluid which is a component of sperm. So during ejaculation, the prostate helps release this seminal fluid into the urethra (Ashford, 2010). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Although it is not yet clear what specifically causes prostate cancer, researchers have identified multiple risk factors that contribute to increasing the likelihood of contracting the disease. According to the ACS, as males age, their chance of having prostate cancer also increases (2018). Research has shown that it is rare for men under the age of 40 to develop prostate cancer. It is only at age 50 that the risk increases dramatically. Another risk factor for prostate cancer is race. Studies have shown that African American males are more likely to have prostate cancer than other races. Additionally, African American males tend to have a more aggressive cancer stage and thus twice as many African American males die as compared to white males. The reason for this is not known (ACS, 2018). Further research has also linked family history as a risk factor for prostate cancer. Men who have a family member who has had prostate cancer are at a higher risk. It has also been studied that if men also have a family history of breast cancer, this may also increase the risk of prostate cancer (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research [MFMER], 2018). In the early stages of any type of cancer, it can be difficult to ascertain whether symptoms are present. In the case of prostate cancer, this is no exception. A male may not have any signs or symptoms until the disease has reached a more aggressive stage. In more advanced stages of prostate cancer, however, men may experience symptoms such as difficulty urinating, discomfort in the pelvic region, or erectile dysfunction. Additionally, men may notice blood in their semen, a decrease in the force with which they urinate, or pain originating from the bones (MFMER, 2018). If a male exhibits any of the above signs and symptoms, a doctor will conduct some diagnostic tests to determine whether they are indeed caused by cancer in the prostate gland. First, a screening test, such as a digital rectal exam (DRE) or a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, may be performed. A DRE involves a doctor inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into a man's rectum to palpate the prostate gland located adjacent to the rectum. Any change in the size, structure, or shape of the prostate gland would result in additional diagnostic testing. On the other hand, the PSA test takes a blood sample and analyzes it to detect the PSA substance naturally produced by.