The prostate gland stores and secretes a clear fluid that makes up part of the seminal fluid that constitutes semen. It also contains some smooth muscle tissue that helps to expel semen during ejaculation. A healthy prostate gland is about the size of a walnut, triangular in shape, and feels firm and rubbery to the touch. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in the U.S. A yearly prostate exam is recommended for men beginning at the age of forty. Men may also be advised to have a prostate exam if they are having difficulty urinating, as this may be a sign of an enlarged prostate gland. Men are often reluctant to have prostate exams, perceiving them to be unpleasant experiences, but they are essential to good prostate health. There is also a blood test that helps detect prostate cancer, called the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test which should be performed yearly along with the digital (the exam the doctor does with his or her finger) exam. Symptoms of prostate cancer include problems with urination, including urinating frequently, difficulty starting urination or holding back urine, and weak or interrupted flow of urine; difficulty having an erection and painful ejaculation; blood in urine or semen; and pain and stiffness in the lower back, hips, and upper thighs. Men with these symptoms should see a doctor for a prostate exam. Please note that these symptoms can be caused by other conditions, such as a bacterial infection of the prostate, and do not necessarily mean you have cancer. During a prostate exam, the man is usually asked to stand facing the examination table and to bend over so that he is leaning down over the table. The doctor will wear surgical gloves and use lubrication on his or her finger. This is called a digital exam. The doctor will then insert their finger in the rectum to feel the prostate gland. The gland is felt through the walls of the rectum; the gland cannot be felt directly. The digital exam is important because a doctor may notice changes in the prostate gland before any symptoms of cancer appear. If cancer of the prostate is suspected, a biopsy may be performed. During this test, a needle is inserted into the prostate gland to remove cells that can then be tested for cancer. Other tests such as a CAT scan or an MRI may also be performed. If the test finds that there is cancer, treatment may involve surgically removing the prostate gland, radiation treatments, and chemotherapy. When caught early, there is a good success rate for treatment of prostate cancer. That is why regular prostate exams are so important. Cancer is not the only problem that can occur with the prostate gland. The prostate gland can become infected. A prostate infection will have many of the same symptoms of prostate cancer. An infected prostate is treated with antibiotics. If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, visit your doctor to have your prostate gland examined as soon as possible to determine the cause.