The Prostate

APCaRI > Prostate Cancer > The Prostate

The prostate is part of the urinary and reproductive systems in the male human body. It is a small, male gland that is located in front of the rectum, slightly below the bladder. The prostate gland has two functions:

Since it surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, its muscle fibres gently squeeze the urethra, helping control the flow of urine.
The gland produces and stores a component of semen, called prostatic fluid, which is secreted as sperm are transported through the urethra. The purpose of prostatic fluid is to provide nutrients to sperm and aid in the sperm delivery process.

For more information about the prostate, visit the Prostate Cancer Canada website or the Prostate Cancer Centre Calgary website.

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The Bird Dogs: Pointing for the Prostate Cancer Cure

For years, Frank Sojonky hid his battle with prostate cancer from the world. But by 2004 he could hide it no longer, as the disease metastasized and began to spread. So when he learned from his oncologist, Dr. Peter Venner, that a chair in prostate cancer research was needed in Alberta, he made his personal goal to raise the funds to do it. That is how the Bird Dogs started and thanks to them and the Alberta Cancer Foundation, Dr. John Lewis and the Alberta Prostate Cancer Research Initiative are making important discoveries to improve the lives of those with prostate cancer.

Watch a video about the Bird Dogs.

- APCaRI