followed by colon cancer and lung cancer.

Prostate cancer occurs more often in black men than white men, with prostate cancer death rates more than two times higher for black men; Every man over the age of 40 should have an annual digital rectal examination (DRE), especially if there is a family history of the disease; Early detection is key; by the time symptoms emerge, the cancer may have already spread to surrounding tissue or bones.

*** Symptoms of trouble which could be caused by cancer, infection or benign enlargement include: Frequent, difficult or painful urination; Dribbling urine; Impotence or painful ejaculation; Blood or pus in the urine; or Pain in the lower back, pelvic area or upper thighs.

For an information package, call the Prostate Awareness Hotline 296-5814.

Everything you were afraid to ask... (about prostate cancer, extracted from a Time Magazine article.) Treatment: Radical Prostatectomy, surgical removal of the prostate.

Pros: Cures cancer confined to prostate.

Cons: Longer hospital stay and recovery, risk of impotence and incontinence.

*** Treatment: Nerve-Sparing Prostatectomy.

Pros: Same as above, 90 percent of men under 50 retain potency.

Cons: Same as radical prostatectomy, except lower risk of impotence.

*** Treatment: External-Beam Radiation.

Pros: No hospital stay, cure rate about 20 percent.

Cons: Chance of recurrence, risk of impotence, some incontinence.

*** Treatment: "Seed'' Radiation, radioactive seeds implanted directly in the prostate.

Pros: Outpatient procedure, less radiation damage.

Cons: Some risk of incontinence and impotence, no long-term studies.

*** Treatment: Cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen freezes and kills prostate cells.

Pros: Short hospital stay, less risk of incontinence.

Cons: High risk of impotence, cancer cells may survive.

*** Treatment: Hormone Therapy.

Pros: Outpatient, temporary tumour shrinkage.

Cons: Loss of libido, only a stopgap.