Often, when we hear about someone being diagnosed with prostate cancer, our reaction is typical: we sympathize with them and wish them well ("Poor Greg. I hope everything works out for him") but refuse to believe that we could ever be afflicted by this killer disease ("Prostate cancer? It's never going to happen to me."). However, porstate cancer has a way of hitting fast and hard. The following is a list of famous men who have contracted or died from prostate cancer. If the disease can affect them, then there's no reason to believe that it can't affect you, too. They are classified by their approach to dealing with the disease.

Surgery

Bob Dole, US Senator. Dole was diagnoes with prostate cancer eight years ago and promptly had surgery.Today, he is cancer free and has been a staunch advocate of the value and importance of early detection. His message is this: if you're a male over age 40, particularly if you have a family history, ask your doctor about getting a prostate check up.

Colin Powell, Secretary of State. Powell underwent surgery to remove a cancerous prostate gland at the age of 66 and has made a full recovery. The health problem reportedly had no effect on Powell's ability to do his job.

Harry Belafonte, Musical artist. Belafonte admits that he has had problems with incontinence following prostate cancer surgery. He has conducted lectures about his bout with prostate cancer so others may "improve their cancer experience and help themselves," he said.

Joe Torre, former New York Yankees manager. The man who led the Yankees to three World Series championships in four years stunned his teambyannouncing that he had prostate cancer. It was unbelievable to may how someone with such vitality could have cancer, but that further underscores the fact that anyone can get the dreaded disease. He underwent prostate cancer surgery and returned to the dugout a few weeks later.

Arnold Palmer, golf legend. Palmer was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1997 and underwent radical surgery as well as radiation therapy. It did not take him long to return to the golf course, though. Since then, he has been an active fund-raiser and spokesman for prostate health.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Andy Grove, President and CEO, Intel Group. When Grove first learned he had cancer, he was told by his doctor that none of the choices in the matter of treatment are good. None of the treatments work all the time, and all of them have side effects that are unpleasant or worse, like incontinence and impotence. He said he read everything he could about his ailment and made his choice: radiatin therapy. He felt that the side effects and uncertainty involved in surgery made it unacceptable.

Nelson Mandela, Former President of South Africa. At age 83, Mandela was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Doctors said his tumor was "microscopic " and should not reduce his life expectancy. The Nobel Peace Prize winner opted for radiotherapy.

Rudolf Giulani, former Mayor of New York City.Giuliani called his prostate cancer problem as "the fight of his life." He candidly admits that his father died from the same affliction. He, too, has chosen radiation therapy over surgery.

Michael Milken, former Wall Street titan. The king of junk bonds learned he had advanced prostate cancer in 1993 following his three-year prison sentence for securities fraud. His preferred treatment consists of testosterone-reducing pills and a changed diet. He said the disease is in remission.

Chuck Tanner, former manager, Pittsburgh Pirates. After several months of radiation therapy, Tanner is nearing full recovery from prostate cancer. Fortunately for him, his cancer was detected early. He has since undergone over 40 radiation therapy sessions and has been told that the side effects from these shall subside within several months. Tanner says the treatments have been easy and that has lived a normal life.