Final answer:
Prostate cancer is most prevalent in older men, particularly those with risk factors such as older age, a family history of the disease, and African ancestry. Treatment varies from active surveillance for slow-growing cancers in elderly to surgery and therapy for aggressive tumors in younger patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Prostate cancer is a tumor in the prostate gland of the male reproductive system and is the most common type of cancer in men. It is most prevalent in older men, with the average age at diagnosis being 70. Risk factors for prostate cancer include older age, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, high blood pressure, family history of the disease, and African ancestry. Treatment options vary depending on the age and health of the patient as well as the aggressiveness of the tumor, ranging from active surveillance to surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Active surveillance is often chosen for elderly patients who are likely to die from other causes before the prostate cancer causes symptoms, as prostate cancer can be very slow-growing. For younger patients or those with more aggressive forms of the tumor, more invasive treatments may be necessary. These treatments can have significant side effects, such as erectile dysfunction or urinary incontinence, which should be understood before deciding on a course of action.