prostate

Everyday

1. The prostate is a small gland in men and boys, under the bladder, that helps make fluid used in making babies. tree →
2. (medicine) Prostate problems or prostate cancer are illnesses of this gland, common in older men. tree →

In the lessons

Met in adult life lessons, health talk and news, often when a grandad or older man is ill or having a check-up. It tells the reader the illness is a man's illness. Phrases: «prostate cancer», «prostate gland», «prostate test», «enlarged prostate».

Examples

• Grandad went to hospital to have his prostate checked. tree →
• Only men have a prostate. tree →
• Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in older men. tree →
• The doctor said finding it early helps a lot. tree →
• Many men walk and run to raise money for prostate cancer research. tree →
• An enlarged prostate can make an older man need the toilet often. tree →

Note

Countable but usually «the prostate». Trap: do not confuse with «prostrate» (lying flat on the ground, face down), which has an extra r. It is a normal body part, not rude; doctors and nurses talk about it plainly.