The prostate is a major part of the male ejaculatory function and many factors affect its function; one of these factors is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a serious disease that can, if not detected early enough, spread to other areas causing larger problems. Prostate cancer can interrupt the normal function of the prostate. The prostate's primary function is to produce most of the fluid in semen (Barrett 5). Cancer can affect the flow of seminal fluid between the seminal vesicles and the prostate by squeezing the urethra, which runs through the middle of the prostate, or the loss of seminal fluid can be attributed to the effect of surgery. When a doctor operates on prostate cancer, the doctor may have to take out the prostate along with the seminal vesicles and possibly part of the bladder (Gomella 58). During orgasm the prostate mixes the seminal fluid with the fluid from the seminal vesicles located in each side of the prostate and with the sperm to form semen (Barrett 5). .
The prostate gland is not a primary component of the urinary system, but because of the location of the prostate and the urethra that runs through the middle, the prostate is important to urinary health (Barrett 5). When the prostate is healthy, this does not pose a problem. But if disease develops in the prostate, tissue in this gland can swell or grow, squeezing the urethra and affecting the ability to urinate (Barrett 5). Prostate cancer which affects the normal function of the prostate, can spread to and infect other parts of a man's body. .
A doctor gives a patient multiple tests to check for prostate cancer, one of which is a digital rectal exam; this exam is very simple. The digital rectal exam consists of a doctor's (gloved of course) inserting a finger into the rectum and feeling the prostate in the lower region to detect any abnormality such as a lump or hard area in the prostate. The digital rectal exam is a simple and efficient way to detect cancer early.