Did you know that prostate cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in the United States, aside from skin cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society one in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. Fortunately, when it’s detected early, the chances of successful treatment are high for people with prostate cancer.

Because of that, it’s especially important to learn about the signs, symptoms and risk factors so that you can feel empowered to talk to your doctor about any questions or concerns when it comes to your health.

Read on for nine things everybody should know about prostates and prostate cancer.

1. The word “prostate” has an interesting origin.

The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system, and its job is to add fluid to semen and help push it through the urethra. The word, itself, comes from a Greek expression that means “one who stands before,” according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, thanks to the prostate’s position standing before the bladder.

2. The prostate tends to grow with age.

The prostate is a gland that is the size of a walnut and weighs about an ounce. It often gets larger as men age, and can press on the urethra and impact the flow of urine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). When that happens, it’s called benign prostatic hyperplasia, and it isn’t related to cancer, according to the Cleveland Clinic. In fact, about half of people born with a prostate will experience an enlarged prostate by age 60, and 90% will have it by age 85. It’s a common reason that people make an appointment with a urologist, and there are treatment options.

3. Signs and symptoms of prostate cancer may be mild or non-existent, or they could be more obvious.

Some people might not experience any symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. Still, there are some possible indicators to look out for, according to the CDC, including the following:

• Difficulty with urinating, trouble starting to urinate and/or a weak or interrupted flow.
• Frequent urination, particularly at night.
• Difficulty in fully emptying the bladder when urinating.
• Experiencing burning or pain when urinating.
• Seeing blood in urine or semen.
• Pain when ejaculating.
• Persistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis.

If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor right away.

4. Any person with a prostate can get prostate cancer. But some people face an increased risk.

For example, the older a person is, the higher the risk, according to the CDC. In addition, African American men are more likely to get prostate cancer, they’re more likely to get it at a younger age, and they’re more likely to die from it, says the CDC. There may also be a genetic connection to prostate cancer, meaning that if you have a first-degree relative who had prostate cancer (a father, brother or son) you may be more at risk.

5. Screening recommendations depend on your personal risk.

Over the years, there’s been debate around who should be screened for prostate cancer, and when. The American Cancer Society says that men should have an informed conversation with their health care provider about getting tested at the following ages:

• Age 50: people with an average risk of developing prostate cancer, who expect to live at least 10 more years.
• Age 45: people at high risk of developing prostate cancer, including African American men and men who have a first-degree relative diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 65.
• Age 40: people with an even higher risk, including those with more than one first-degree relative who had prostate cancer at a young age.

6. There are a number of ways to test for prostate cancer.

If a doctor might give you a rectal exam, for example, feeling for any bumps or hard areas around the prostate. In addition, a test called a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test can be used to screen for cancer in men with and without symptoms; if cancer is present, your PSA results may also help your doctor better understand the extent of the disease and monitor the effect of treatment. A biopsy is also a common procedure for diagnosing prostate cancer. Learn more about tests from the American Cancer Society’s site.

7. Prostate cancer is given a “grade” to determine its stage.

The grade is called a Gleason score, and according to the Prostate Cancer Foundation it was named for Donald Gleason, MD, the physician and pathologist who devised the system in the 1960s. The score takes into account the five different cell patterns that Gleason observed in prostate cancer, ranging from one (normal-looking tissue) to five (high-grade tumor cells). A person’s Gleason score is calculated by adding together the two most predominant types of cells (for example, 3 +4=7), and scores usually range from six to 10, with six being low, seven intermediate, and eight and up qualifying as high-grade.

8. A healthy, active lifestyle may lower your risk for prostate cancer.

Strive to make as many positive choices as you can, such as eating a nutritious diet filled with fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. In addition, see your doctor regularly so they can monitor your health.

9.  Education—and early detection is important.

While some prostate cancers develop slowly, others are more aggressive and can spread to nearby organs. Now that you know these important facts about prostate cancer, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms. That way, if there is a problem, you can begin treatment quickly.