There’s sometimes confusion around who can get prostate cancer. Only people who have a prostate gland have a risk of prostate cancer.

Anyone who does not have a prostate gland, which includes women and some men, can’t get prostate cancer. However, it can get confusing because the female reproductive system has glands that are similar to the prostate. While those glands can develop cancer, it’s very rare.

If you have questions about your prostate cancer risk, here’s what you need to know. It can be helpful to have this information when you’re talking to your doctor and making healthcare decisions.

What Is the ‘Female Prostate’?

The male prostate gland makes fluid that’s added to semen. This fluid contains nutrients and enzymes that help sperm stay healthy. It also adds lubrication to the urethra, the tube that sperm flow through when they leave the body.

The female reproductive system has glands that seem to serve a similar function. These are called Skene’s glands. They’re small and situated on both sides of the urethra. Structurally, they’re very similar to the prostate and have been referred to as the “female prostate.” This is because the prostate gland and the Skene’s glands develop from the same cells.

Prostate Gland vs. the Skene’s Gland

Skene’s glands also produce a fluid, like the prostate, although in smaller amounts. Researchers believe this fluid also lubricates the urethra, and it may have properties that help it fight infections, like urinary tract infections. The Skene’s glands may also be connected to ejaculation during orgasm, though researchers need to do more work on that topic.

In addition, the fluid that Skene’s glands produce contains chemical markers that are similar to prostate fluid. These include both prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP).

Can You Get Cancer in the Skene’s Glands?

Cancer in the Skene’s glands is very rare, with only about 20 cases ever reported. When it does occur, it’s sometimes connected to higher levels of PSA, just like prostate cancer. Because the Skene’s glands are sometimes called the “female prostate,” cancer in these glands may be called “female prostate cancer.”

We know a lot less about the Skene’s glands than we do about the prostate. Only recently have researchers started studying these glands to figure out what they do and the roles their fluids play in the body.

Symptoms

Most commonly, people with cancer of the Skene’s gland are asymptomatic (have no symptoms). But there are a few symptoms that may be associated with this type of cancer. Many of these overlap with other more common conditions, so you’ll need to talk to a healthcare provider to find out the cause.

Symptoms of cancer in the Skene’s glands include:

• Blood in your urine
• Vaginal bleeding
• Frequent urination
• Urination that hurts
• Problems urinating
• Pain in the vulva and vagina

Given how rare this cancer is and the need for more research about the Skene’s glands in general, there’s a lot that’s unknown about this type of cancer.

Can Women Pass Prostate Cancer Risk to Their Children?

Parents can carry genes that might put their children at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer. It’s unknown if these genes may also be connected to cancer in the Skene’s glands.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are better known for being connected to breast cancer and ovarian cancer, but they’re also connected to prostate cancer. Everyone has these genes, but sometimes these genes change, causing them to not work properly. These are called gene variants, and they can increase cancer risk.

Somewhere between 1 in 300 and 1 in 400 people around the world have these BRCA gene variants. If you have Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, you may have a higher risk — roughly 1 in 40 people from this population has a BRCA gene variant.

Different variants come with different levels of risk. Having a variant in the BRCA1 gene only creates a slightly higher risk of developing prostate cancer, while a BRCA2 variation carries as high as a 20 percent chance of developing prostate cancer. This type of prostate cancer usually appears before the age of 65. These BRCA variants may also be connected to more aggressive prostate cancer, though researchers need to do more work to establish this as fact.

Inherited BRCA gene variants could predispose children to a higher prostate cancer risk. If you’re concerned about the genes you carry, talk to your doctor. Genetic testing is available, and it can give you the information you’re looking for.

If you’re concerned about prostate cancer or cancer in the Skene’s glands, talk to a healthcare professional. They can discuss your risk factors and family history and can order any tests or screenings that you may need.

Join the Conversation

On MyProstateCancerTeam, people share their experiences with prostate cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What have you heard about the “female prostate”? Let others know in the comments below.