A prostate cancer primer.

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths among this population. Early screening and diagnosis, advances in preventive techniques, and existing cutting-edge treatments are part of a multidimensional approach in an ongoing battle to improve the health of millions of men. This primer was designed to familiarize nurses with basic facts about prostate cancer and its management. The epidemiology of prostate cancer and its risk factors, clinical manifestations, screening and early diagnosis, treatment strategies, and implications for urologic nurses are presented.