Only males have prostates, so only men can get cancer of the prostate. The prostate is an important part of a male reproductive system and proper functioning of the prostate is important for bladder control and normal sexual function.

Where is the prostate?

The prostate gland is a solid organ found immediately below the bladder and in front of the rectum (see Figure 1) It surrounds the urethra which is the tube connecting the bladder and the penis through which a man empties the bladder. Other important parts of the male reproductive system are the seminal vesicles and the testicles.

Figure 1. 

You can obviously see or feel your penis and your testicles. However, it is impossible to see your prostate and extremely difficult to feel it. Your doctor can feel some parts of your prostate by inserting his gloved finger into your rectum. This procedure is called a digital rectal examination or DRE and can be important in trying to diagnose prostate cancer and other prostatic diseases.

What does the prostate do?

The prostate has two important functions: one is to help control urination and the other is to help sexual activity. The prostate helps to control the rate at which urine flows out of the bladder and into the urethra. It does this by the effect of the sphincter muscle in the prostate that surround the urethra.

The prostate also has an active role in sexual activity. The prostate gland makes a whitish glandular secretion which collects within the prostate and is fed into the urethra during ejaculation. This glandular secretion helps to protect the sperm after intercourse. 

The growth of the prostate and control over how it works are fundamentally based on the levels of the male sex hormone testosterone, which is produced by the testes. The production of testosterone is itself controlled by another complex set of hormonal interactions.